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CONCISE 

HISTORY 



MASSACHUSETTS, 



ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT, 

(AND FOR FOURTEEN YEARS, THE HISTORY OF ALL NEW ENGLAND.) 
FOR THE 

USr: OF SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES. 



BY MARY CLARK 



NEW- YORK : 

DANIEL AND GEORGE F. COOLEDGE. 

BOSTON ; 

MUNROE AND FRANCIS. 
1837. 




"<^'?. 



1 1876. :) 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



That mind must be possessed of uncom- 
on apathy, which can contemplate the 
3tory of Massachusetts, (for fourteen years 
e history of all New-England,) from the 
cy when the little band of Pilgrims, in 
arch of " a faith's pure shrine," first land- 
' on the inhospitable shore of Plymouth, 
rough the eventful two hundred years 
•rich have since rolled away, without deep 
jotion ; without some kindlings of enthu- 
siastic admiration of the pure and lofty aim, 
the all-sustaining piety and fortitude, the 
unquenchable love of liberty which inspired 
the Fathers, and the spirit of freedom and of 
patriotism which, in later times, animated 
the sons, leading both to glorious deeds and 
great achievements ; without acknowledg- 
ing the protecting Power whom the Pilgrim 
Fathers came hither to worship unmo- 



IV ADVERTISEMENT. 

lested, who has caused " a Uttle one to be- 
come a thousand," a feeble colony to become 
" a great nation." 

It is hoped that no apology will be deem- 
ed necessary for an attempt to furnish 
the YOUTH of Massachusetts with a History 
of their native state in so condensed a form, 
as shall put it in the power of every one to 
obtain a knowledge of the leading facts. 
Such is the object of the compiler of this 
little work. To facihtate the acquisition of 
this knowledge, by young learners in schools 
and families, the interrogative form has been 
adopted, and the events arranged in chrono- 
logical order. The best authorities have 
been consulted, and care has been taken to 
render the work as correct as possible. 

The immediate answers to the questions are 
as brief as can well be, and printed in larger 
type. The passages in small type may be 
attentively read by the pupil, and so much 
of them recited by him on going through 
the book a second time, as shall be deemed 
proper by the judicious teacher. 

Boston^ December, 1830. 



CONVERSATIONS 

ON THE 

HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



CONVERSATION I. 

Discovery of New England by Gosnold. — Coast explored by Capt. 
Smith — Former name of New-England. — Settlement of New- 
England. — Puritans. — Mr. Robinson's congregation. — Reasons 
for their emigration to America. — Preparatory measures. — Voy- 
age and landing. — Events and discoveries after their arrival. — 
Plymouth founded. — Character of the First Settlers. 

a. When and by whom was New-Eng- 
land discovered ? 

A. In 1602, by Bartholomew Gosnold, the 
first English commander who reached Ameri- 
ca by sailing on a due west course. 

Q,. What was the circuit of former naviga- 
tors ? 

A. By the West-India Isles and the Gulf 
of Florida. 

Q,. What part of New-England did he first 
discover ? 

A. A promontory in Massachusetts Bay, to 
which, from the great quantity of codfish ta- 
ken by him there, he gave tlie name of Cape 
Cod. 

Q. What further discoveries did he make ? 

A. Sailing along the coast to the southwest, 
he discovered and gave names to several pla- 
1* 



X 



6 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

ces, and touched at two islands, one of which 
he named Martha's Vineyard,* and the other 
Ehzabeth Island.t 

From this place he returned to England in less than four 
monihs from the time of his departure: having made the 
quickest voyage to the new world then known. + 

Q. What celebrated navigator next visited 
New-England ? 

A. Capt. John Smith, who, in the year 
1614, explored with accuracy that part of the 
coast reaching from Penobscot (in Maine) to 
Cape Cod. 

On his return to England he laid a map of it before prince 
Charles.^ and gave such a splendid description of the beauty 
and excellency of the country, that the young prince, in the 
•warmth of his admiration, declared it should be called New- 
England. Cape Ann was so named by the prince from 
respect to his mother. Anne of Denmark, wife of James I. 

Q.. What had this part of North America 
previously been called ? 

A. North Virginia. 

Q.. Was New-England inhabited at that 
time ? 

A. It was, by a race of men called Indians 
or savages^ who lived wild in the woods. 

Savage, s. a wild, uncivilized man. 



* Now called Noman's Land. 

t The westernmost of the islands that bear the name of 
Elizabeth. 

I He resided three weeks on the most western of the Eliz- 
abeth islands, on which he built a fort and storehouse. Want 
of provisions induced him to give up the design of a settle- 
ment. The cellar of his storehouse was discovered by Dr. 
Belknap in 1797. 

6 Afterwards King Charles I. 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. 7 

Q. When and b)^ whom was the first settle- 
ment made in New England ? 

A. In 1620, by a company of Dissenters or 
Puritans,* a part of the congregation of Rev. 
John Robinson of Leyden, in Holland, who 
with his people emigrated to that place from 
England, in the year 1G08, to enjoy that re- 
ligious freedom which was denied them in 
their own country. 

The principal reasons of their dissent from the established 
church were, objections to its rites and ceremonies, which 
they conceived were not wholly free from the corruptions of 
the Romish church, and the low state of piety among its dig- 
nitaries and ministers. 

Q,. What were their declared reasons for 
removing from Holland to America ? 

A. " The unheaithiness of the low country 
where the)" resided ; the hard labours to which 
tliey were subjected ; the dissipated manners 
of the Hollanders, particularly their lax obser- 
vance of the Lord's day ; and the apprehen- 
sion of war" between Holland and Spain. 

They were also animated with the hope of spreading- the 
gospel in the remote parts of the earth, and forming a sys- 
tem of civil government unfettered with the arbitranj institu- 
tions of the old world. 

d. What measures did they take prepara- 
tory to their removal ? 

Emigrate, v. to remove from one place to another 
Dissent, v. to disagree in opinion. 
Dignitary, s. a clergyman of higher rank. 
Arbitrary, a. despotic, absolute. 

* So called because they dissented from the Church of Eng- 
land, and sought greater purity in simple forms of worship 
and church discipline. 



8 iCONVERSATIONS ON THE 

A. They first sent agents to England to 
procure a pateiit^ and ascertain whether the 
king would grant them liberty of conscience 
Iq the distant country of America. 

Q,. Did those agents effect their object ? 

A. They did not ; but, the following year, 
(1619,) agents were again sent, who, after 
long attendance, and much expense and la- 
bour, obtained a patent under the seal of the 
Virginia company.* 

But they could prevail with the king no further than to en- 
gage he would not molest them, provided they were peace- 
able subjects. 

Q,. What further preparations did they 
make ? 

A. They agreed that some of their num- 
ber should go to America to prepare a place for 
the rest. Mr. Robinson, their minister, was 
persuaded to stay in Leyden with the greater 
part of the congregation, and Mr. Brewster, 
their elder, was to accompany the first adven- 
turers. Several of them sold their estates and 
made a common l^ank. This, with money re- 
ceived from other adventurers, enabled them to 
buy the Speedwell, a ship of 60 tons, and to 
hire in England the May-Flower, a ship of 
180 tons, for the intended eriterprize. 



Patent., s. a writing comprising some right or privilege. 
Molest, V. to disturb, to trouble, to vex. 
Enterprize, s. a hazardous undertaking. 

* A company which had been formed in England, and had 
obtained grants of American territory, from King James I. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 9 

Q.. When did they leave Leyden ? 

A. On the 2 of July 1620, and sailed from 
Southampton, England, on the 5 of August, 
same year. On the 10 of November, they ar- 
rived in Cape Cod harbour. 

The adventurers. 120 in number, aAer an affecting parting^ 
with their brethren and friends,* left Leyden and sailed to 
England, in July, and embarked for America from Southamp- 
ton, August 5 ensuing. On account of the leakiness of the 
small vessel, they were twice obliged to return, and at length 
dismissing it as unfit for service, the passengers, to the num- 
ber of 101 (19 being obliged to remain behind for want of ac- 
commodation in the ship) put to sea in the May-Flower on the 
6 of September. After a boisterous passage, they, at break 
of day on November 9, discovered land at Cape Cod. 

Q,. Was this the place of their destination 7 
A. It was not. 

They had intended to settle near Hudson's river, but the 
captain, having been bribed in Holland, steered his course 
northward, and after encountering dangers from shoals and 
breakers, near the coast, a storm coming on, they dropped an- 
chor in Cape Cod harbour. Here they were secure from 
winds and shoals, and as the season was far advanced, and 
sickness raged among them, it became necessary that they 
should take up their abode at this place. 

Q,. What did they do previously to their 
landing 1 

A. They drew up a civil compact^ in which 
they agreed to be governed by the majority .f 
This was signed b}^ 41 of their number, on 



Destination, s. purpose for which any thing is appointed. 
Shoal, s. a shallow, a sand bank. 
Breaker, s. a wave broken by rocks or sand banks. 
Compact, s. a contract, an agreement. 

* On this occasion Mr. Robinson preached to them from 
Szra viii. 21. 

t This was the more important on account of their being 
vilhout the limits of their patent. 



10 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

the 11 of November, and Mr. John Carver 
was chosen their governor for one year. 

Q.. Wliat was their next proceeding ? 

A. To explore the adjacent country. 

The same day, 16 men, well armed, with a few others, 
were sent on shore to make discoveries, but they returned at 
niglit without having found any person or habitation. On 
Monday the 15 the company again disembarked, for further 
discoveries, and on Wednesday, Myles Standish and others, 
in searching for a convenient place for settlement, saw 3 or G 
Indians, whom they followed until night, and not overtaking, 
they were constrained to lodge in the woods. Next day they 
discovered heaps of earth, which they dug open, and finding 
within implements of war, concluded they were Indian graves 3 
replaced what they had taken out, and left them inviolate. 
In different heaps of sand they found baskets of corn, a large 
quantity of which they carried away, in a great kettle,* found 
at the ruins of an Indian house, intending to pay the owners 
when they should find them. This providential discovery 
gave them seed for future harvest, and preserved the colony 
from famine. t 

Q,. What other event took place among 
them during the month of November ? 

A. The birth of Peregrine, son of William 
and Susanna White. Tliis was the first Eu- 
ropean child born in New-England. 

Q,. What were some of the most important 
events in the ensuing month ? 

A. The discovery of a place for settlement, 
their landing, and building a house for com- 
mon habitation. 

On the 6 of December, the shallop was sent out with seve- 

Adjacent, a. lying close, bordering on. 
Constrain,v. to compel. 
Inviolate, a. unhurt, unbroken. 
Shallop, s. a small sail-boat. 

* Some ship's kettle, and brought from Europe, 
t It is remarked, by Gov. Bradford, that for this corn, six 
mouths after, the owners wore paid to their satisfaction. 



I 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 11 

ral of the principal men, Carver, Bradford, Winslow, Stand- 
isli, and 8 or 10 seamen, to sail round the bay in search of a 
place for settlement. The next day they separated, part of 
them travelling on shore, and the others coasting in the shal- 
lop. On the morning of the 8, those on the shore were sur- 
prised by a flight of arrows, from the Indians 5 but on the dis- 
charge of the English muskets, they quickly disappeared. The 
shallop, after imminnd danger from the loss of its rudder and 
mast in a storm, and from slioals which it narrowly escaped, 
reached a small island on the night of the 8, and the next day, 
which was the last of the week, the company here reposed 
themstlves, with pious gratitude for their preservation.* Od 
the same island they kept the Christian sabbath. The day 
following, December ll,t they sounded the harbour and found 
it fit for shipping, went on shore, and explored the adjacent 
land, where they saw cornfields and brooks, and, judging the 
situation fit for settlement, they returned with the welcome in- 
telligence to the ship. On the 15, they weighed anchor, and 
proceeded with the ship to the newly-discovered port, where 
they arrived the following day. On the 18 and 19, they went 
on shore for discovery, but returned at night to the ship. On 
the morning of the 20, after imploring divine guidance, they 
went on shore and fixed on a place for settlement on a high 
ground, facing the bay, where the land was cleared and the 
water excellent. On Saturday the 23, they commenced fell- 
ing and carrying timber to the spot for the erection of a build- 
ing for common use. On Sabbath day the 24, the people on 
shore were alarmed by the cry of Indians, and expected an 
assault, but they continued unmolested : and on Monday, 23, 
they began to build the first house. On the 28, they began a 
platform for their ordnance upon a hill, which commanded an 
extensive prospect of the plain beneath, of the expanding bay, 
and the distant ocean. t In the afternoon, they divided their 
whole company into I'j families, measured out the ground, and 



Imviinent, a, impending^, near. 
Unmoltsted, a. free from disturbance. 
Ordnance, s. cannon, great guns. 



* This was afterwards called Clark's island, "because 
Mr. Clark, the Master's mate, first stepped abhore thereon j" 
which name it still retains. 

t Corresponding to Dec. 22, N. S. which is annually ob- 
served at riymouth, in commemoration of the Landing of the 
Fathers. 

\ The fortification was made on the summit of the hill, on 
which Plymouth burying ground now lies, and the relics of it 
are still visible. 



12 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

assigned to every person, by lot, half a rod in breadth, and 
three rods in leng'lh, for houses and gardens. Although most 
of the company were on board the ship on the Sabbath, Dec. 
31, yet some of them kept sabbath for the first time in their 
new house. 

Gl. What precise time may be fixed as the 
epoch of their settlement ? 

A. December 31, 1620, the first day of oc- 
cupying their new house. 

Q,. What name did they give their infant 
plantation ? 

A. Plymouth. 

Probably in grateful remembrance of the Christian friends 
whom they found at the last town they left in their native 
country 5 or, as some suppose, from respect to the company 
within whose ju7-isdiction they found themselves situated. 

This was the foundation of tlie first English 
town in New-England. 

Q. Wliat were some of the most prominent 
traits in the character of the early Plynrouth 
settlers, who are now spoken of by the char- 
acteristic appellation of The Pilgrims ? 

A. Wisdom, patience, perseverance, energy 
and decision, courage, fortitude, self-denial, 
fervent and rational piety, conscientious adhe- 
rence to what they believed to be right, and 
an unconquerable attachment to civil and reli- 
gious hberty. 

They were strictly a religious people. They voluntarily 
made the greatest of all earthly sacrifices, in forsaking friends, 
home and country, and relinquishing the comforts of civilized 

Epoch, s. the time at which a new coraputation is l>egun, from 

which dates are numbered. 
Jurisdiction, s. extent of power, district. 
Adherence, s. attachment. 
RtlinquUhf v. to forsake, to quit. 



Mi 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS, 13 

life, to enjoy the privilege, which man in power often denies to 
his fellow man, viz. frkedom to worship God agreeably 
to the dictates of conscience. Many were martyrs in the no- 
ble cause ; Iml those who survived obtained the reward of this 
glorious privilcg'e, which was transmitted to succeeding gene- 
rations, and is now enjoycil by the people of New-I>n«land in 
the greatest perfection that civil authority has power to bestow. 



CONVERSATION II. 

Jiew Patent.— Plymouth town built.— Sickness at Plymouth.— Mili- 
tary arrangements. — First Indian visit. — Visit from Massasoit. — 
Death and cbaracter of Governor Carver. — First marriage at 
Plymouth. — First duel. 

Gl. When was granted the new patent to 
the Pl)^mouth Company ? 

A. It was dated tlie 3 of November, 1620, 
and granted by king James to the Duke of 
Lenox, the Mai'quises of Buckingham and 
Hamilton, the Earls of Arundel and Warwick, 
and Sir Fcrdinando Gorges, with 34 associates 
and their successors : 

Styling them " The Council established at Plymouth in 
the county of Devon, for the planting, ruling, ordering, and 
governing of New-England in North America." 

Qi- What part of the territory was put in 
their possession by this patent ? 

A. That which lies between the 40 and 
48 degree of north latitude in breadth, and 
*' in length by all the breadth aforesaid, through- 

Marquis, s. an order of nobility next to a duke. 
Earl, 3. an order of nobility next to a marquis. 

2 



14 CONVERSATIONS ON Till': 

out the main land from sea to sea," with cer- 
tain powers and privileges. 

This patent was the sole basis of all the subsequent patents 
and plantations, which divided this country. 

Gi. Wiicn did tiio Plymouth colonists pro- 
ceed to the erection of their projected town ? 

A. On the 9 of January, 1G21, and huilt 
it in two rows of houses for greater security. 

On the 14, their common house took fire from a spark whicb 
fell on its thatched roof, and was entirely consumed. Several 
persons were sick in the house at the time, but they all eflect- 
ed a timely escape. 

d. Was there much sickness among tliem 
during the winter ? 

A. There was a mortal sickness, which 
commenced soon after their arrival, and, with- 
in the first three months, swept of! half their 
number. 

It was probably owing to their unnsual exposure and hard-- 
ships, the severity of the winter, and the want of such provi- 
sions as they had been accustomed to. Yet their submission 
to the will of God, their readiness to help one another, and 
their bright hopes of another and better world, sustained them 
in all their distresses, and enabled them to persevere through 
all the diiHculties of their situation. 

AVhen did they first meet for the purpose of 
making military arrangements ? 

A. On the 17 of Februar)^, when Myles 
Standish was chosen captain, and invested 
with power pertaining to that otfice. 

Q,. When did they receive the first Indian 
visit ? 

Project, V. to scheme, to plan. 

Thatch, s. straw laid upon the top of a house to keep out th*' 
weather. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 15 

A. March 16, when an Indian came boldly, 
alone, into the street of Plymouth, and surpri- 
sed the inliabitants by calling out, " Welcome, 
EngUshnien ! welcome. Englishmen !" His 
name was Samoset, a sagamore of the country 
lying at the distance of about 5 days' journey. 

Having conversed with the English fishermen who had 
come to the coast, and learned of them to speak broken Eng- 
lish, he informed the Plymouth people, that the place where 
they were situated was called by the Indians, Paluxet 5 that 
all the inhabitants had died of an extraordinary plague about 
four years since, and that there was neither man, woman, 
nor child, remaining. No natives, therefore, were dispossess- 
ed of this territory to make room for the English, except by 
the providence of God previous to their arrival. 

Q,. What was the effect of the visit upon 
Samoset ? 

A. Such as to conciliate his friendship and 
good will. 

Being hospitably treated by the white people, he was dispo- 
•sed to preserve an intercourse with them, and on his third visit, 
March 22, was accompanied by Squanto, a native, who had 
been carried off by Hunt in 1G14, and aiterwards lived in En- 
gland.* 'I'hey informed the English, that Massasoit, the great- 
est king of the neighbouring Indians, was near, with his broth- 
er and a number of his people ; and wiiliin an hour be ap- 
peared on the top of a hill over against the English town, with 
60 men. Mutual distrust prevented, for some time, any ad- 
vances from either side. Squanto, at length, being sent to 
Massasoit, brought back word that the English should send one 
of their number to parley with him. Rlr. Edward VVinslow 
was accordingly sent. Two knives and a copper chain were 
sent to Massasoit at the same time, and to his brother a knife 
and a jewel, with " a pot of strong water,'' a quantity of 



Dispossess, v. to deprive, to disseize. 
Hospilahhj, ad. with kindness. 



* Hunt was the master of a ship, who visited New-England 
and carried off several of the natives, whom he took into 
Spain ; but Squanto escaped to England. 



16 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

biscuit, and some butler, all which were e^^ladly accepted. Mr. 
Winslow, in a speech to Massasoit, signified that king' James 
saluted him with words of love and peace, and that the Eng- 
lish governor desired lo see him, to trade, and confirm a peace 
with him as his next neighbour. The Indian king heard this 
speech with attention and approbation. After partaking of 
llie provision sent by the English, and imparling the rest to his 
company, he looked at i\Ir. Winslow's sword and armour, in- 
timating his wish to buy it, but found him unwilling to part 
with it. At the close of the interview, Massasoit, leaving Mr. 
Winslow in the custody of his brother, went over the brook 
which separated him from the English, with a train of 20 
men, whose bows and arrows were left behind. Here he was 
met by Capt. Standish and Mr. Williamson with 6 musketeers, 
who conducted him to a house then building, where were pla- 
ced a green rug and 3 or 4 cushions. The governor now ad- 
vanced, attended with a drum and trumpet, and a few mus- 
keteers. After mutual salutations, the governor called for 
refreshments, which the Indian king pai'.ook himself and im- 
parted to his followers. A league of friendship was then 
agreed on, and it was inviolabhj observed above 30 years. 

Q,. What were the next pulphc acts of the 
colonists ? 

A. On the next day, March 23, they con- 
cluded their military business, made some laws 
adapted to their present state, and confirmed 
Mr. Carver as their governor the succeeding 
year ; but he died soon after, to the great re- 
gret of the colony. 

Q,. What was his character ? 

A. He was a man of great prudence, in- 
tegrity, and firmness of mind, of distinguished 
piety, humihty, and condescension. 

He possessed a considerable estate, the greater part of 
which he expended in promoting the interests of the infant 
colony. 

Q,. Who was his successor ? 



Musketeer, s. a soldier whose weapon is liis musket. 
Inviolably, ad. without breach or failure. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 17 

A. Mr. William Bradford ; and Mr. Isaac 
Allerton was appointed his assistant : both of 
whom, by renewed elections, were continued 
in office several years. 

Q,. When was the first marriage solem- 
nized at Plymouth ? 

A. On the 12 of May, 1621, between Mr. 
Edward Winslow and Mrs. Susannah White. 

Q,. When was the first duel fought in 
New-England ? 

A. June 18, same year, by two servants, 
both of whom wxre wounded. They were 
sentenced to the punishment of having the 
head and feet tied together, and of lying 24 
hours without meat or drink. 

But, after suffering in that painful posture for one hour, at 
their master's intercession and their own humble request, with 
promise of amendment, they were released by the governor. 



CONVERSATION III. 

Embassy sent to Massasoit. Their reception. Conspiracy against 
the English. Submission of tlie Indian saclieras. Bay of Massa- 
chusetts explored. Arrival of new settlers. Scarcity of provi- 
sions. Threat of war from Canonicus. Fortification of Plymouth. 
Death of Squanto. Excursion of the governor among the na- 
tives. 

Q,. What was one of the first official acts 
of Governor Bradford ? 

A. Sending an embassy to Massasoit, 

Solemnize, v. to dignify by particular formalities. 
Official, a. pertaining to a public charge. 
Embassy, s. a public message. 

2' 



18 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

consisting of Mr. Edward Winslow and Ste- 
plien Hopkins, with Squanto for their guide, 
to confirnv the league ; to explore the couiitr)^ ; 
to learn the strcngtli and situation of their new 
friend ; to carry presents ; to apologize for 
some supposed injuries ; to estahlish a friendly 
intercourse, and procure seed corn for the en- 
suing season. 

They found in many places marks of the plague which had 
desolated the neig-libourliood of Patuxet 5 and passed through 
fine old cornfields and pasture grounds, destitute of cattle and. 
inhabitants. Skulls and bones appeared in many places where 
the Indians had dwelt. 

Q,. How were they received by Massasoit t 

A. On their arrival at Pokanoket, his place 
of residence, about 40 miles from Plymouth, 
they were kindly w^elcomed by the Indian sov- 
ereign, who renewed his assurances of contin- 
uing the friendship, which, as his influence was 
very extensive, it was happy for the colony 
that they had secured. 

Q,. When was mischief meditated against 
the colonists by Corbitant, and who was he ? 

A. • In August, 1621. He was a petty 
sachem of Massasoit, who, becoming discon- 
tented, endeavoured to alienate the affections 
of Massasoit's subjects from him that they 
might join the Narraganscts, who Avere hostile 
to the English. 

Q,. Did he succeed in his designs ? 



Desolate, a. solitnry, deprived of iohabitants, laid waste. 
Sachem, s. a chief. 
Alienate, v. to transfer. 
Hostile, a. adverse, at enmity. 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. 19 

A. He did not. 

Squanto and Hobomock, two faithful friends of the white 
people, going- to Namasket where Corbitant then was, to make 
observation, were threatened with death by him, and he seiz- 
ed and detained Sqnanloj but Hobomock escaped. To coun- 
teract the evil machinations Qi Corbitant, and liberate Squan- 
to, Myies Standish with 14 men, and Hobomock for their 
guide, were sent to Namasket. On their arrival, Corbitanl's 
J'aclion i\e(\. The design of the English expedition was ex- 
plained to the natives, with threats of destruction incase of 
insiirrer.tion against Massasoit, or violence to any of his sub- 
jects. This resolute enterprise rtruck the neighbouring Indians 
with such terror, that, on the 13 of September following, nine 
sachems voluntarily came to Plymoulii, and acknowledged 
submission to king James, and their example was followed by 
other chiefs. 

Q. When, and for what purpose did the 
colonists first explore tlie Bay of Massachusetts ? 

A. In September, 1621, to see the country, 
rmake peace, and trade with the natives. 

Qi' When was the first arrival of new set- 
tlers at Plymouth ? 

A. November 11, 1621 ; when 35 persons 
arrived, with a charter procured for the Plym- 
outh colonists by the adventurers in London, 
who were originally concerned in the enterprise. 

Q,. How did the governor and his assistant 
dispose the people who came over for residence? 

A. Into several families ; and, on account 
of the scarcity of provisions, the people were 
restricted to half-allowance. 

Q,. Did tlie colonists suffer for want of 
sustenance ? 

Machination, s. artifice, scheme. 
Faction, s. a party. 
Insurrection, s. a rebellion. 
Dispose, V. to place, to adjust. 
Restrict, v. to limit. 



20 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

A. They did. For two or three months, 
being destitute of bread, they were obhged to 
subsist on fish anc^ spring water. 

As the ship, which broug^ht over the new settlers, came with 
scanty supplies, the colonists were obliged to victual her home j 
and in consequence of this, and the accession to their number; 
before the next spring they were reduced to great straits. 

Q,. What contributed to heighten their 
distresses ? 

A. A tlireat of war from Canonicus, the 
Narraganset chief, expressed l)y a message 
" in the emhlematic style of the ancient 
Scythians, viz. a bundle of arrows, bound to- 
gether by the skin of a serpent." 

Q,. How was this message answered by 
Governor Bradford ? 

A. By returning the skin filled with pow- 
der and ball. This had the desired effect. 
The Indians were afraid to let it remain in 
their houses, and at length sent it back to 
Plymouth unopened, and remained quiet. 

d. Did the English judge it necessary to 
take measures for further security ? 

A. They did ; and accordingly impaled 
and fortified the town. 

Q,. What loss did the colony sustain in 1622. 

A. That of their valuable friend, the faith- 
ful Squanto, who had rendered them many 
essential services. He had accompanied Gov. 
Bradford on an excursion to purchase corn of 

Accession, s. increase by something- added. 
Emblematic, a. comprising an emblem, allusion. 
Impale, v. to fence with a pale, to inclose. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 21 

the Indiaos. and during tlieir absence, he fell 
sick and died. 

On his dealh-bed, he requested the governor to pray for 
him that he might " go to the Englishman's God in heaven." 

Q. Had the governor success in the object 
of his excursion ? 
A. He had. 

He was treated with great respect by the several tribes 
which lie visited ; he purchased in the whole, 28 hogsheads of 
corn, for which he paid in goods received from England j and 
the trade was conducted with mutual justice and confidence. 



CONVERSATION IV. 

Settlement at Wessagfusset. — Conspiracy against it. — Measures ta- 
ken to suppress it. — Drought. — Arrival of new settlers. — First 
neat cattle. — Settlement at Cape Ann. — Plymouth colony. — Mount 
WoUaston settled. — Discovery of Naumkeak. — Loss of a trading 
vessel. — Death of Mr. Robinson.— llis character. — Disorders at 
Mount Wollaston.— Friendly messages from the Dutch.— Trade at 
Manomet. 

Q,. When and by whom was the first set- 
tlement made in Massachusetts Bay ? 

A. In 1622, by a company from England 
under the direction of Thomas Weston. 

Q. What was the name of tlicir plantation ? 

A. Wessagusset. 

Q,. Were they in danger from hostile in- 
tentions of the Indians ? 

A. They were. 

A conspiracy was formed against them, of which they were 
.apprized by the following means. In the spring of 1623, in- 

Conspiracy, s. a plot. 



22 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

tellig-ence came to Plymouth that Massasoit was sick, and 
the governor sent Edward VVinsIow and John Hampden," 
with HobomocU, to visit him. They found him very ill, but, by 
cordials administered by Mr. Winsiow, he revived. After their 
departure, Hobomock informed them, that Massasoit had pri- 
vately charg'ed him to tell Mr. Winsiow that there was a plot 
of the Massachusetts (Indians) against VVessagusset 5 that, lest 
the Plymouth people should avenge their brethren, they also 
were to be destroyed ; and that he advised to kill the conspir- 
ators, as the onl}- means of security. 

On receiving this intelligence, the governor ordered Stand- 
ish to take with him as many men as he judged sufficient, and 
if a plot should be discovered, to fall on the conspirators. Ac- 
cordingly Slandish, with 8 men, sailed to the Massachusetts, 
discovered and killed the conspirators, and returned, bringing' 
the head of one of them, Wittuwaniat, which, for a terror to 
the Indians, was set up on the fort. This so terrified the 
others, who were concerned in the conspiracy, that the> fled 
into swamps and desert places 3 and thus their design was 
entirely frustrated. 

Q.. For what was the spring of 1623 re- 
markable ? 

A. A severe drought. For 6 weeks after 
planting there was scarcely a drop of rain. 

At this lime they had discontinued their mode of labouring 
in common, and each laboured on his own ground. This 
change was made with a view of exciting the idle to diligence, 
and all tjo greater exertions. But the drought threatened to 
blast all. At this melancholy crisis, the government appoint- 
ed a day of fasting and prayer. In the morning the sky was 
clear, and the earth parched ; but, before the close of the re- 
ligious exercises, the clouds gathered, and the next morning 
began soft and gentle showers, which continued, with intervals 
of fine weather, for 14 days ; on which account, a day of pub- 
lic thanksgiving was soon after observed. 

Q,. What important events took place in 

Avenge, v. to revena^e. 

Frustrate, v. to defeat, to disappoint. 

Crisis, s. critical time. 

* Supposed to be the Hampden afterwards distinguished in 
England by his spirited resistance to the arbitrary impositions 
of Charles I. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 23^ 

the colony during- tbe niontlisof July iind Au- 
gust, 1(323 ? 

A. The arrival of two ships iVoin England 
with necessary supplies, and a number of new 
settlers. In September, the same year, one of 
them returned, in which Mr. AVinslow went 
over as agent for the colony. 

Q. When w^ere the first neat cattle brought 
to New^-England ? 

A. In March, 1624, by Mr. Winslow^ 

Q,. When was the first settlement made at 
Cape Ann, and by w^iom ? 

A. In 1624, by persons from England, 
sent over by some merchants and other gen- 
tlemen, at the instance of Mr. White, a cele- 
brated minister of Dorchester. 

Q,. What alterations were made in the 
Plymouth colony during tliis year, and w^hat 
was the state of the town at this time ? 

A. On motion of the governoij there were 
appointed him five assistants instead of one, 
as had hitherto been the case. Every man 
w^as allowed an acre of land lor liimself and 
family, for jjermanent use. Plymouth con- 
tained at this time 32 dwelling-houses, and 
about 180 persons. Beside their cattle brought 
by Mr. Winslow, their stock consisted of a few 
goats, and plenty of swine and poultry. Their 
town, half a mile in circumference, was impa- 
led, and on a high mount w itliin it w as their 

Instance^ s. importunity, solicitation. 
Ptrmanent^a. durable. 



24 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

fort, made of wood, lime and stone, and a 
handsome watch-tower. 

Q. What was the state of the plantation 
at Wessagusset ? 

A. Its few inhabitants received this year 
an accession to their number from Weymouth, 
England, and the town is supposed to have 
been hence called Weymouth. 

Q. When and by whom w^as Mount Wol- 
laston settled ? 

A. In 1625, by Captain WoUaston and a 
few persons of some eminence, with 30 ser- 
vants, from England. Among them was 
Thomas Morton, afterwards the cause of great 
trouble to the sober inhabitants of the country, 

Q. Who was at this time chosen agent to 
manage affairs at Cape Ann ? 

A. Mr. Roger Conant, then of Nantasket ; 
and Mr. Lyford, of the same place, having 
been invited to be minister to the plantation^ 
they removed to Cape Ann, and in the autumn 
were followed by Lyford's people. 

Q. When and by whom was Naumkeak 
discovered ? 

A. By Roger Conant, who, conceiving that 
it might he a convenient place for settlement, 
gave notice of it to his friends in England. 
This information gave rise to a project for pro- 
curing a grant to settle a colony in Massachu- 
setts Bay. 

Gl. What other events are recorded con- 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 25 

cerning the colonists as happening during the 
year 1025 2 

A. The loss of a trading vessel, which had 
been sent from London, and was laden back 
by the Plymouth people with codfish and with 
beaver and other furs, to make payment for 
goods previously received. Also the departure 
of Myles Standish to England, as agent for the 
colony ; and the death of Rev. Mr. Robin- 
son ^ whose memory is yet precious in New- 
England. 

Q. What was his character ? 

A. That of a truly good and excellent 
man ; distinguished by his natural abilities, 
highly cultivated mind,, liberality of sentiment^ 
and exalted piety, blended with the mild and 
amiable virtues. 

His decease was deeply lamented by his people in Holland 
and America. He was highly respected and esteemed by tb« 
whole city and university of Leyden. 

Q,. What was the state of affairs at Mount 
Wollaston in 1626 ? 
A. Un prosperous. 

Daring- the absence of Capt. Wollaston, and through the in- 
fluence of Morton, the lieutenant was deposed, and great dis- 
order, dissipation, and waste of goods ensued. 

Gi. When did the Plymouth colony pur- 
chase all the property of the adventurers ? 

A. In 1627, through the agency of Isaac 
AUerton, who had been sent to England for 
that purpose. 

To effect the payment, new arrangements and a new divi- 
Depose, v. to degrade, to divest of office.- 

a 



26 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

sion of lands were made among the colonists, thoug-h without 
affecling-the previous divisions. 

Q. When did messengers with amicable 
letters arrive at Plymouth from the Dutch col- 
onv at Hudson's river ? 

A. In 1627. 

Their propositions of friendly intercourse were reciprocated 
by the governor, and a grateful sense of kindnesses received 
from the Dutch in their native country, was expressed on be- 
half of the colonists. 

Q. When and why did the Plymouth peo- 
ple establish a place for trade at Monamet ?* 

A. In the same year, for the greater con- 
venience of trade with the Dutch, and to avoid 
the dangerous navigation around Cape Cod. 



CONVERSATION V. 

Colony ot Massachusetts founded.— Arrival of John Endicott at 
Naumkeak. — Salem founded. — ^Coirection of abuses at Mount 
Wollaston. — Massachusetts patent confirmed. — Form of govern- 
ment tstablished. — Progress of Naumkeak. — Charlestown founded. 
— Plymouth patent.— Population of Plymouth. 

Q,. When was laid the foundation of the 
colony of Massachusetts ? 

A. On the 19 of March, 1628. At this 
time, a patent was obtained by Sir Henry 
Roswell, Sir Jolm Young, and four others, for 
all that part of New-England lying between 3 

Amicable, n. friendly. 

* Now Sandwich. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 27 

miles north of Menimac river, and in lengtli 
within the described breadth from the Atlantic 
ocean to the South sea. 

Willi this company were afterwards associated John Win- 
throp, Isaac Joliiison, Matthew Cradock, Thomas Goffe, and 
Sir Richard Saltoiistall. 

Q. Who were first sent over by this com- 
pany, and to what place ? 

A. A few persons, under the command of 
John Endicott, to carry on the plantation at 
Naunikeak. 

Q. Which was the first permanent town 
in Massachusetts, and when and by whom 
was it founded ? 

A. Salem : founded in 1628, by John 
Endicott, on his arrival at Naumkeak. 

Q.. When were the abuses corrected at 
Mount Wollaston ? 

A. In 1628. 

The rin_^leader, Morton, having been found incorrigible, 
Captain Siaudish was sent with a military force, who dispers- 
ed the worst of the company, and brought Morton to Plymouth, 
from whence he was sent to England. 

Q. When was the patent of the Massachu- 
setts colony confirmed by the king ? 

A. On the 4th of March, 1629. 

d. Was the form of government for the 
colony settled the same year ? 

A. It was, on the 30 of April. John En- 
dicott was chosen governor, and Francis Hig- 
ginson, with six others, were appointed his 
counciL 

Incorrigible, a. bad, beyond correction or am^ndmeQt. 



28 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

Q. What town was settled in 1629 ? 
A. Lynn. 

" By two brothers of the name of Edmund and Francis In- 
g-alls, from Lincolnshire, England."* 

Q. What had been the progress of the in- 
fant colony at Naumkeak in the summer of 
1629? 

A. It contained at that time six houses, 
besides that of Governor Endicott ; and the 
number of planters was 300. From this time 
it was called Salem. 

Q,. When was Charlestown founded, and 
by whom ? 

A. In June, 1629, by Thomas Graves 
and others to the number of 100, who remo- 
ved from Salem to Mishawum, and there laid 
the foundation of the town.f 

Q. When were the first ministers ordain- 
ed at Salem, and who were they ? 

A. August 6, 1629 ; they were Mr. Fran- 
cis Higginson and Mr. Samuel Skelton. 

Q. When was the last Plymouth patent 
obtained, and in whose name was it taken out ? 

A. In January, 1630, in the name of 
" William Bradford, his heirs and assigns." 

Q. What additional lands did it convey ? 

A. A considerable territory around the 

* See History of Lynn, by Alonzo Lewis. 

t A small settlement had been made there, in the summer of 
1628. by three brothers, of the names of Ralph, Richard, and 
William Sprague, with the voluntary consent of the Indian 
sagamore residing in the place. (See Everett's Centennial 
Address. Charlestowji, 1830.) 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 29 

original settlement of Plymouth, and a large 
tract of land on Kennebeck river in Maine. 

Q. What was the number of inhabitants in 
Plymouth at tliat time ? 

A. Nearly three hundred. 



CONVERSATION VI. 

Arrival of Gov. Winthrop.— Dorchester founded.— First day of 
thanksgiving. — Watertown, Boston, and Roxbury settled — First 
general court at Boston. — Death of Mr. Johnson. — Death of Fran- 
cis Higginson. — Newtown LCambridge]founded. — Ipswich founded. 
— Sumptuary laws. — Settlement at Connecticut river. — Small-pox 
among the Indians. 

Q,. When did Governor Winthrop and his 
company arrive at Massachusetts, and at what 
place did they first land ? 

A. June 12, 1630, and landed first at Sa- 
lem, whence they soon after passed to Charles- 
town.* 

a. What was the whole number of per- 
sons attached to this company ? 

A. They were in all 15CJ0 persons, of va- 
rious occupations, who came in a fleet of 17 
vessels, ten of whicli arrived at nearly the same 
time with Governor Winthrop, and the other 
7 before the end of the year. 

Gl. Did they all proceed to Salem ? 



* Governor Winthrop removed liom Charleslown to Boston 
in the autumn of 1631. 



30 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

A. Four principal men, Warham, Mav- 
erick, Rossiter, and Ludlow, arriving sooner 
than the rest, were put ashore at Nantas- 
ket, and in a few days removed to Matapan, 
where they began to build a town. 

Q,. What was the name of the town thus 
founded '? 

A. Dorchester. 

Q,. When and on what account was the 
first day of public thanksgiving kept in the 
Massachusetts colony ? 

A. On the 8 of July, 1630, for the safe 
arrival of the fleet. 

Gi. Who was the first minister of Charles- 
town, and when was he installed ? 

A. Mr. John Wilson, installed August 27, 
1630. 

Q,. When was the first court of assistants 
hold en at Charlestown ? 

A. August 23, same year. 

The first question proposed was, How the ministers should 
be maintained. 

Q,. When and by whom were Watertown, 
Boston, and Roxbury settled ? 

A, All in the summer and autumn of 
1630 ; Watertown, by Sir Richard Saltonstall 
and Mr. Phillips ; Boston, by Mr. Johnson and 
some of the principal inhabitants of Charles- 
town ; and Roxbury, by Mr. Pynchon and 
others.* 

Install, V. to invest with office. 
* There was residing on the peninsula, [Boston,] at that 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 31 

Q. When was the first general court hol- 
•den at Boston ? 

A. October 19, 1630. 

Q,. Were the Massachusetts colonists visit- 
"cd with sickness, soon aftei* their arrival at 
Charlestown 1 

A. They were, of whom several died. 

Amon^ these was the Lady Arbella Johnson,* and, a 
month afterwards, her husband, Mr. Isaac Johnson. He was 
Ihe first magistrate who died in Massachusetts, and was distin- 
guished for piety, wisdom, and public spirit. 

Q,. What other eminent man died in the 
colony this year ? 

A. Francis Higginson, one of the minis- 
ters of Salem, a zealous and useful preacher. 

He was mild in doctrine, but strict in discipline ; grave ia 
his deportment ; cautious in his decisions : firm to his purpo- 
ses ; and exemplary in his life. 

Gi. When was Newtown [afterward Cam- 
bridge] founded ? 

A. In 1G31. 

Q,. Wlien was the first considerable acces- 
sion made to the settlers at Newtown J 

time, a Mr. William Blackstone, who came and invited the 
Charlestown settlers thither, on account of an excellent spring 
of water on that side of the river. The peninsala was then call- 
ed by the English, Trimonfitain, and by the Indians, Shawmut, 

Mr. Blackstone was an Episcopal clergyman, who had pre- 
viously settled at Shawmut,and being the first English inhabitant 
there, was the rightful owner of the whole peninsula. He would 
never join any of the N. E. churches, alleging as a reason, 
" I came from England, because I did not like the lord bishops, 
and I cannot join with you, because I would not be under the 
lord brethren." He finally removed to Rhode-Island. 

* A daughter of the Earl of Lincoln. She came " from a par- 
adise of plenty to a wilderness of wants," and was unequal to 
the trials of so gr«at a transition. 



32 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

A. In 1632, by a company from England. 
In this year they built their first meetinghouse. 

Deputy-governor Dudley, secretary Bradstreet, and other 
gentlemen of note, also settled there about this time. 

Q,. When was the first meetinghouse be- 
gun to be built in Boston ? 

A. In 1632, by the congregation of Boston 
and Charlestown. 

Q,. Who was their minister ? 

A. John Wilson, also the first minister of 
Charlestown. 

The church in the latter place having become large, the 
members amicably divided themselves into two churches, one 
of which was in Boston and the other in Charlestown, where 
Mr. Thomas James became the pastor. 

Q,, When and by whom was Ipswich 
founded ? 

A. In 1633, by John Winthrop, son of the 
governor, and twelve others. 

Q,. Who was the first minister of Ipswich ? 

A. Rev. Nathaniel Ward. 

Q,. What sumptuary laws were passed 
this year in Massachusetts ? 

A. Laws agahist idleness, luxury, and 
extortion. 

The court ordered, that no artificers, such as carpenters and 
masons, should receive more than two shillings a day, and 
labourers but 18 pence, and proporlionably 5 and that no com- 
modity should be sold at above 4 pence in the shilling above 
the cost of the goods in England. 

Q,. When was tbe first settlemeiit made 
at Connecticut river, and by whom ? 



Sumptuary, a. relating to expense. 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. 33 

A. In 1(333. by a company sent from Ply- 
mouth, who were mvited thither by the natives* 

Q,. What remarkable calamity befel the 
Indians in Massacbiisetts in 1633 ? 

A. Tlie breaking oat of the small-pox 
among tliem, of wliich several of their chiefs 
and very many of their people died. 

Above 30 of John Sagamore's people of Winisimet were 
buried in one da^'. John Sagamore, by his own desire, was 
brought among the English, where he died in the persuasion 
that he should go to the Englishman's God, leaving his son to 
be brought up by Mr. Wilson. The colonists visited them in 
their sickness, administered to their necessities, buried their 
dead, and took home many of their children. 

Q.. What were some of the most important 
results of labour in the Massachusetts colony 
in 1633 ? 

A. A ship of 60 tons w^as built at Med ford ; 
the first water-mill in the colony w^as erected 
in Dorchester, and another at Roxbury ; and 
rye was produced for the first time. 



CONVERSATION VII. 

-Change in the government of Massachusetts.— Dangers from the 
government abroad. — Dangers from the natives at bome. — Banish- 
ment of Roger Williams.— Surrender of Plymouth charter. — New- 
bury, Concord, and Hingham settled. — Sir Henry Vane. — Emigra- 
tion to Connecticut.— Murder of John Oldham.— Ann Hutchinson. 
— Harvard College founded. — Ancient and Honourable Artillery 
Company. — Earthquake. — First printing press. — Southampton 
settled. — Extreme cold. — Hugh Peters.- Progress of New-England* 

Q. When were the first representatives 
assembled in Massachusetts 'i 



34 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

A. May 13, 1G34 ; the government being 
thus changed from a simple to a representa- 
tive deQuocracy, 

Q.. Was the colony in particular danger 
this year ? 

A. It was, both from the tyranny of gov- 
ernment abroad, and from the natives at home. 
The Indians in Connecticut manifested their 
hostile disposition by murdering Capts. Stone 
and Norton, who went in a small hark to 
Connecticut river to trade ; together with the 
men who accompanied them. 

Q.. Was it supposed that the Pequots were 
concerned in this murder 7 

A. It was, and messengers were accord- 
ingly sent to treat with them, but without sat- 
isfaction. The Pequots, however, afterwards 
sent messengers with gifts to the Massachu- 
setts colony, and the governor and council con- 
cluded with them a treaty of peace and friend- 
ship. 

Q,. When and why was Roger Williams, 
a minister of Salem, banished from the colony 
of Massachusetts ? 

A. Ill 1634, on account of his religious 
opinions ; principally for his insisting that 
'' the magistrate had no right to deal in mat- 
ters of conscience and religion." 



Democracy, s. a government lodged with the people. A democ- 
racy is simple, when the people assemble to make their own 
laws; >-f/>;eie>u«tu'e, when they choose, or elect a small part 
of their number to assemble and make laws for the whole, 

£urk, s. a small ship. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 35 

d. Wliat other important events took place 
ill the colony in 1634 ? 

A. The erection of a fort on Castle Island, 
and the death of Samuel Skelton, one of the 
first ministers of Salem. 

d. What was the character of Mr. Skelton? 

A. He was eminent for learning and vir- 
tue ; '• a man of gracious speech, full of faith, 
and furnished with gifts from above." 

Q.. When was the charter of Plymouth 
Council surrendered to the crown ? 

A. In 1635. 

Q.. What arbitrary measures were taken by 
the king and his ministry against Massa- 
chusetts ? 

A. Soon after the surrender of Plymouth 
charter, a quo icarranto was brought by Sir 
John Banks against the governor, deputy- 
governor, and assistants of the corporation, 
and it was finally adjudged that their liber- 
ties and franchises should be seized into 
the kins^'s hand. 

Gi, What towns were settled in 1635 ? 

A. Newbury, Concord, and Hingham. 

Q., When was Sir Henry Vane chosen 
STovernor of Massachusetts ? 

A. In 1636. 

Quo warranto. A writ, issuing from the crown, against tbe 
members or officers of a corporation, upon the presumption or 
supposition that tlie corporation lias forfeited its charter. The 
writ is called a 7110 ivananto, because it demands by what 
war7-ant, or authority, the corporation, of the members there- 
of exercise their corporate power, having forfeited their 
charter. 

Franchises, s. immunities, privileges. 



36 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

a. How long did he continue in office ? 

A. But one year ; at the expiration of 
which time, Gov. Winthrop was again elected. 

Q. Who emigrated this year from Massa- 
chusetts ? 

A. Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone^ the minis- 
ters of Cambridge, [then Newtown,] with their 
whole church and congregation, men, women, 
and children ; travelling 100 miles, with no 
guide but their compass, through a hideous, 
trackless wilderness, to Connecticut. Mrs- 
Hooker was carried on a litter. They drove 
160 cattle, and subsisted on the milk of the 
Gows during the journey. 

Q.. How was the government of Con- 
necticut organized ? 

A. Under a commission from Massachu- 
setts, granted to Roger LudloAV and seven oth- 
ers, who were invested with all the powers of 
government. 

Gt- What act of the Massachusetts legisla- 
ture in 1636, manifested their regard for the 
interests of education ? 

A. The act appropriating £400 for the 
erection of a public school in Newtown [Cam- 
bridge.] 

d. What nmrder was perpetrated by the 
Indians this year ? 

A. That of John Oldham, of Massachu- 

Organize, v. to construct. 
Perpetrate v. to commit. 



HISTORY OB' MASSACHUSETTS. 



37 



setts, Avlio was murdered in his barl^ near 
Block Island 

Q,. What measures were taken by the gov- 
ernment on this occasion ? 

A. They sent 80 or 90 men, under the 
command of John Endicott, to obtain satisfac- 
tion of the Pequots, who w^ere considered as 
abettors of the murder, but the expedition was 
unsuccessful. 

And ftirther, to prevent the Narragansets from joining' the 
Pequots, a treaty of peace was concluded with them. The 
Narragansets were at this time estimated at 3000 fighting' 
men. 

Q. What circumstance occasioned consid- 
erable excitement in the colony of Massachu- 
setts in 1637 ? 

A. A great theological disturbance, caus- 
ed by Mrs. Anne Hutchinson. 

A woman of talents and influence, who, for endeavouring to 
disseminate her peculiar religious tenets, was banished by the 
court, and excommunicated by the church of Boston, of which 
she was a member, 

John Wheelwright, a brolher-in-law to Mrs. Hutchinson, 
afterwards minister of Exeter, N. H. and Samuel Gorton, 
were also banished from the colony this year, on account of 
their religious opinions. 

Q,. When was Harvard College founded, 
and by whom ? 

A. In 1638, by John Harvard, a worthy 
minister of Charlestown. 



Jbetlor, s. supporter or encouragcr. 
Theological^ a. lelaling' to the science of divinity. 
Disseminate, v. to scatter, to spread. 

4 



28 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

He deceased this year, and left a legacy of about 850 
pounds* to the school at Newtown, w hich soon after, in honour 
of its earliest benefactor, took the name of Harvard College, 

d. What was the principal object in found- 
ing this college ? 

A. Besides promoting the interests of gen- 
eral literature, to provide for posterity an edu- 
cated ministry " when the learned ministers, 
they then enjoyed, should sleep in the dust." 

Thus careful were the venerable founders of New-England 
to cherish the interests of learning and religion, as the main 
supports of all good government. 

Q,. What colony owes its rise to the reli- 
gious differences at this time existing in Mas- 
sachusetts ? 

A. Rhode-Island. 

John Clark and some others went to Providence in 1638, in 
search of a place where they might have liberty of conscience, 
and, by the aid of Roger Williams, purchased Aquit-neck 
[Rhode-Island] of the natives, which attracted so many set- 
tlers, that, in a few years, it became very populous. 

Q. Were arbitrary measures still pursued 
in England against the American colonies 'I 
A. They were. 

An order was issued, May 1638, to prevent the departure 
of 8 ships for New-Englaud, then in the Thames. B}' 
this order, Oliver Cromwell, Sir Arthur Haslerig, John Hamp- 
den, and other patriots, were hindered from coming to America. 

d. When was the origin of the Ancient 
and Honourable Artillery company in Boston ? 
A. In 1638. 

Boston at that time " was rather a village than a town,'^ 
containing no more than 20 or 30 houses. The same year 
3000 settlers arrived there, who came in 20 ships. 



About 3200 dollars. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 39 

Q. Wlien was the first earthquake re- 
corded in the annals of New-England ? 
A. On the first of June, 1638. 

The earth shook with such violence, that in some places the 
people in the streets could not stand without difficulty, and 
most moveable articles were thrown down. 

Q,. What instance of justice towards the 
Indians occurred in Plymouth colony in 1638 ? 

A. The execution of three Englishmen, 
for the murder of an Indian near Providence. 

Q,. When was the first printing-press set 
up in New-England ? 

A. In 1639, by Stephen Day ; and this 
was also the first in North America. 

Q,. When was Southampton, Long-Island, 
settled, and by whom ? 

A. In 1640, by several of the inhabitants 
of Lynn ; with Mr. Abraham Pierson for their 
minister. 

Q,. How long did Southampton continue 
under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts? 

A. Until the year 1663, when it was an- 
nexed to the government of Connecticut. 

Q,. What rendered the winter of 1641 
remarkable ? 

A. Its extreme cold. 

The harbour of Boston, where ships ordinarily anchored, 
was so deeoly frozen over, as to be passable for horses, carts 
and oxen, for five weeks. 

Q.. What persons were sent to England 
this year, on business for the colony ? 

A. Hugh Peters, minister of Salem ; 



40 CONVERSATIONS ON TFIK 

Thomas Welde, minister of Roxbury ; and 
William Hibbins, of Boston. 

d. Did these ministers ever return to New- 
England I 

A. They did not. 

Mr. Welde was cjtxted in the reigii of Cliarles II. and Mr. 
Peters, by busying hinistlf loo much in the political afl'airs of 
that time, rendered himself u/>«(i.rjo?w to the fnially victorious 
party, and was executed in 1660. He was a useful, business 
man, and Salem had rapidly increased during his ministry. 

Q. When were Dover, Portsmouth, and 
Exeter assigned to Massachusetts' jiuisdiction I 

A. In lt)41. 

Q. When did Governor Bradford surren- 
der to the freemen of Plymouth colony, the 
patent which had been taken out hi his name ? 

A. Also in 1641 ; reserving to himself no 
more than an equal right among the colonists. 

Q. What was the progress of New-Eng- 
land down to the year 1643 I 

A. Fifty towns and villages had been 
planted ; forty churches had been erected ; 
a castle, several prisons, and forts. Ships 
had been built, of from 100 to 400 tons ; 
and five of them were at sea. The expense 
of settling ilie single colony of Massachusetts 
was about £200,000. 



Eject, V. to expel from nn office or possession. 
Obnoxious, a. Tiable to punishment. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 4i 



CONVERSATION VIII. 

Union of the colonies.— Myantonomoh. — Uncas. — Division of Mas* 
sachusetts into counties. — Persecution of the Baptists. — Nantasket, 
Eastham, and Rehobotii seUled.— Iron work at Braintree.— Passa- 
conaway. — John Elliot. — His mis&ion to the Indians. — First in- 
stance of execution for witchcraft. — Singular combination. — Death 
and character of Governor Winthrop. 

Q,. For what was the year 1643 remarkable ? 

A. For beiiior the memorable epoch of the 
union of the New-England colonies. 

Q,. What were some of the reasons for 
this union ? 

A. The dispersed state of the colonies ; 
the vicinity of the Dutch, Swiss, and French ; 
the hostile disposition of the Indians ; the im- 
possibility of obtaining aid from England in 
any emergence ; and in fine, the alliance al- 
ready formed between the colonies by the ties 
of religion . 

Q,. Wliat were the advantages of it ? 

A. It rendered them formidahle to their 
neighbours ; maintained harmony among 
themselves ; and was probably the grand in- 
strument of their preservation as a people ; 
besides being serviceable in civilizing and 
christianizing the Indians. Soon after this 



Duperse , v. to scatter. 

Emergence., s. sudden occasion, pressing necessity. 

Formidable, a. terrible, dreadful. 



42 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

union, several Indian sachems came in and 
submitted to the Enghsh government, among 
whom were Myantonomoh the Narraganset, 
and Uncas the IMohegan chief. 

Q,. What is said of Myantonomoh ? 

A. That he was " a very goodly person- 
age, of tall stature," politic, and of high de- 
signs. He was slain in 1643, by Uncas, be^ 
ing taken prisoner by him in a war between 
the two tribes. 

Gov, Hopkins says of Myantonomoh, that he was " the 
most potent prince New-England had ever any concern with," 
and remarks, that "the savas^e soul of Uncas doubted whether 
he ought to take away the life of a great king, who had fallen 
into his hands by misfortune," but by the advice of the com- 
missioners for the united colonies, and, to the regret of suc- 
ceeding generations, he was cruelly put to death in cold 
blood.* Gov. H. adds, " Surely a Rhode-Island man may be 
permitted to mourn his unhappy fate, and drop a tear on the 
ashes of Myantonomoh, who, with his uncle Canonicus, were 
tlie best friends and greatest benefactors the colony ever had." 

Q,. What is said of Uncas ? 
A. That he was a faithful friend to the 
English ; 

That, so early as the year 1638, fearing he had given them 
offence by entertaining some of the hostile Pequots, he went to 
Boston with a present, which being accepted by the governor, 
Uncas made a speech, concluding with these words : " This 
heart" (laying his hand upon his breast) '* is not mine, but 
yours. Command me any difficult service, and I will do it ; I 
have no men, but they are all yours. I will never believe any 
Indian against the English any more." He was dismissed 

Politic, a. artful, cunnuig'. 

* But without being tortured. We cannot, at this distance 
of time, arraign the 7Ho<zrf5 by which the commissioners were 
prompted — but the act is most certainly unjustifiable. 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. 43 

with B present, went home joyful, carryings a letter of protec- 
tion for himself and men through all the English plantations 5 
ever after continued friendly, and died a very old man after 
the year 1680. 

Q,. Was there any change in the respec- 
tive governments of the colonies in conse- 
quence of their union ? 

A. There was not. 

Though in their public transactions ihey were considered as 
one body, the affairs of each colony were managed by their 
own officers. 

Q.. How was Massachusetts divided in the 
year 1643 ? 

A. Into four counties, Essex, Middlesex, 
Suffolk, and Norfolk. 

Gi. Who attempted to estabhsh presbyte- 
rian government this year in Massachusetts ? 

A. Several persons from England under 
the authority of the Westminster divines : but 
the design was baffled by the general court. 

Q. What alteration was made in the Mas- 
sachusetts general court in 1644 ? 

A, The division of it into two houses, 

Q. How were the Baptists persecuted in 
the colony this year ? 

A. The legislature passed a law against 
them, with the penalty of banishment for ad- 
herence to their principles. 

Q. What towns w^ere settled in 1644 ? 

A. Nantasket [Hull], Eastham, and Reho- 
both. 

Q. When were preparations for the manu- 
facture of iron commenced at Braintree ? 



44 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

A. In 1644, by John Winthrop, jiin. and 
Others ; 

Under the patronage of the leg-islature, who, in 1645, en- 
couraged the undertaking by granting to the company a mo- 
nopoly of it for 21 years, with other important privileges. 

Q,. What native chief submitted to the ju- 
risdiction of Massachusetts in 1645 ? 

A. Passaconaway, chief sachem of Mer- 
rimack. 

Q,, When did the legislature of Massachu- 
setts pass the first act to encourage the carry- 
ing of the gospel to the Indians ? 

A. In 1646 ; and on the 28 of October, 
Mr, John Eliot, minister of Roxbury, com- 
menced those pious and indefatigable labours 
among them, which procured for him the title 
of The Indian Apostle. 

His first visit was to the Indians, at Nonantum,* whom he 
had apprized of his intentions. He was welcomed by Waban, 
a grave Indian,to a large wig warn, where a considerable num- 
ber of the natives had assembled, many of whom listened to 
his discourse with tears. 

Q,. What Other measures were taken in 
behalf of the Indians ? 

A. In 1647, several of them having be- 
come serious and civilized, the court settled a 
form of government for them at Nonantum 
[now Newton], and Concord, by which, among 

Monopoly, s. sole power and privilege of buying and selling 
Indefatigable, a. unwearied, not exhausted. 
Wigwam, s. an Indian house. 



A hill of that name. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 45 

Other privileges, they were alloAved to keep 
courts amoDg tliemselves, in siihordinancy to 
the governnient of Massachusetts. 

Q. Wlien was the first instance of capital 
punishment for witchcraft in Massachusetts ? 

A. In 1648, when Margaret Jones, of 
Charlcstown, was indicted for a witch, found 
guilty, and executed. 

In 1647, one had suffered in Connecticut. 

Q,. What singular combination was en- 
tered into by some of the principal men of the 
country in 1649 ? 

A. That against wearing long hair. 

Our ancestors declared this custom to be " uncivil and un- 
manly, whereby men deform themselves, offend sober and 
modest men, and corrupt good manners." 

Q,. What other customs were offensive to 
our puritan fathers ? 

A. The use of tol^acco by smoking and 
chewing, and the wearing of wigs. 

The smoke of this noxious weed was compared to the smoke 
of the bottomless pit ; and the wearing of wigs. Governor 
Hutchinson says was an eye sore in New-England for 30 years. 

Q,. What eminent mau died in Massachu- 
setts in 1649 ? 

A. John Winthrop, the father and gover- 
nor of the colony, aged 63. 

Q,. What was his character ? 

A. He was distinguished for his talents and 

Subordinancy, s. the stale of being subject. 

Capital punishment, s. punishment by death. 

Indict, -v. to charge by a written accusatio-n before a court of 

Covibination,s. union, league, association. [justice. 

Eye sore, s. something ofl'eiisive to the sight. 



46 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

virtues ; his wealth and affluence ; his hospi- 
taUty, pietjj and integrity. 

He was remarkable for his temperance and frugality, deny- 
ing himself those indulgences to which his fortune and office 
would seem to have entitled him, that he might be an example 
to others, and have more liberal means of relieving the needy. 
He descended from a respectable family in Suffolk, England, 
and was by profession a lawyer. Having expended a large 
portion of his estate, and exhausted his health in the service of 
the colony, he at length closed his useful life in calm resigna- 
tion to the will of God. He was governor of Massachusetts 
eleven years. 



CONVERSATION IX. 

Submission of Maine to Massachusetts. — First Mint. — John Cotton. 
—Gov. Dudley.— Maj. Willard's expedition.— Kxtraordinary law. 
— Edward Winslow. — Persecution of Quakers. — Myles Standish. — 
Indian plot. — Death and character of Gov. Bradford. 

Q,. When did Maine submit to the govern- 
ment of Massachusetts ? 

A. In 1652, and the towns from that time 
sent deputies to the general court at Boston. 

Q,. When and where was the first mint 
estabhshed ? 

A. In the year 1652, at Boston. 

Q,, What pieces of money were coined ? 

A. ShiUings, six-pences, and three-pences. 

Ten years later, two-pences were coined. 

Q,. What circumstances in the history of 

Expend, v. to lay out, to spend. 

Mint, s. place where money is coined. 

Circulating medium, s. the means by which commercial inter- 
course is kept up in a community, such as coined metal, or 
bank notes. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 47 

the colony denote the scarcity of the circular 
ting medium 7 

A. In 1631, it was ordered by the court, 
that corn should be a legal tender ; in 1635, 
that musket balls should pass for farthings ; and 
in 1643, wamjyampeag was made a legal 
tender in the payment of debts to the amount 
of 40 shiUings, — the white at 8 a penny, and 
the black at 4 a penny, except in payment of 
country rates. 

d. What celebrated minister died in the 
colony in 1652 ? 

A. John Cotton, minister of the First 
Church in Boston, in the 68 year of his age. 

He was born at Derby in England, received a colleg-iate 
education, and in 1612 became the minister of Boston in Lin- 
colnshire. Being persecuted under the merciless administra- 
tion of Archbishop Laud, he was obliged to flee, and came to 
New-England, of which he has been styled Tlie Patriarch. 
His influence in the civil and ecclesiastical affairs of the colony 
was very great. He is described by Hubbard, as " a man of 
excellent learning, profound judgment, eminent gravity, chris- 
tian candour, and sweet temper of spirit." 

Q.. What distinguished magistrate died 
in 1653? 

A. Thomas Dudley, formerly governor of 
the colony, aged 76 years. 

He was one of the principal founders of the colony ; was 
chosen governor in IGSi, and several times afterwards, and 
was deputy-governor 7 or 8 years. He was the first major- 
general, and appointed to that office in 1644 5 and was continued 
in the magistracy from the time of his arrival until his death. 

Legal tender,, s. that wbich may be lawfully offered in payment 
of a debt, and which the creditor is compelled by law to take 
in payment. 

Wampampeag, s. a sort of black and white beads, made of sea- 
shells by the Indians, and passing among them as current coin. 



48 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

Hewasa man of sound judgment, of inflexible integrity, public 
spirit, and of strict and exemplary piety. He was a principal 
founder of Newtown, now Cambridge. On Mr. Hooker's re- 
moval to Hartford, Mr. Dudley removed to Ipswjcli, and af- 
terwards to Roxbury, where be died in the 77 year of his age. 

Q. When was the war with Ninigict, the 
Niantick sachem ? 

A. In 1654. The principal reason for this 
war seems to have been the determined hos- 
tihty of that chief against the Long-Islanders, 
who had put themselves under the protection 
of the English. 

Gi. Who was commander of the English 
forces in the expedition against the Nian ticks 7 

A. Major Simon Willard of Massachusetts, 

He marched with his men into the Narraganset country, and 
finding that Ninigrel with his men had fled into a swamp, 14 
or 15 miles distant, he returned home without attempting to 
injure them. About 100 Pequots, who had been left with the 
Narragansets ever since the Pequot war, voluntarily came off 
with the army, and submitted to the government of the English. 

Q,. What extraordinary law Avas passed 
by the Massachusetts legislature in 1655 ? 
A. An act of assessment on spinning. 

This act required that " all hands not necessarily employed 
on other occasions, as women, boys, and girls," should " spin 
according to their ability" j and authorized the selectmen, in 
every town, to " consider the condition and capacity of every 
family, and assess them" accordingly " at one or more spin- 
ners." 

Q,. What towns were incorporated in 1655 'I 
A. Billerica, Groton, and Chelmsford. 
Q,. What individual, distinguished in the 
annals of Plymouth colony, died in 1655 ? 

Asttssment^ s. the sum levied on certain property, the act of as- 
sessing. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 49 

A. Edward Winslow, who had been three 
years governor of that colony, and held a con- 
spicuous place among the worthies of that day. 

His actions form his best eulogium. His efforts in behalf of 
the Indians slrono^Iy illustrate his benevolence and piety. He 
published several works relative to the plantation of Plymouth 
and the natives of the country, and after an active, useful lifcj 
died on board an English fleet in the West Indies, whither he 
was sent from England by Cromwell, as a commissioner in his 
service, in the 61 year of his age. 

Q.. When began the persecution of the 
duakers in Massachusetts 7 

A. In the year 1656. 

Q,, What was the first special law for their 
punishment, and the punishment of those who 
brought them into the country ? 

A. That, imposing a fine of £100 upon 
any master of a vessel, who should bring any 
known Quaker into any part of the colony ; re- 
quiring him to give security to carry him back 
again ; and sending to the house of correction 
such Quaker, who, being whipped 20 stripes, 
was to be afterwards kept to hard labour until 
transjoortatioii. 

Gl. What further laws, inflicting punish- 
ment, were passed b)^ the government ? 

A. That any Quaker, after the first con- 
viction, if a man, should lose one ear, and a 
second time, the other ; a woman, each time 
to be severely Avhipped ; and the third time, 

Transportation, s. removal. 

5 



50 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

man or woman, to have the tongue bored 
through with a red-hot iron. 

Q,. What were the consequences of these 
laws ? 

A. The number of Quakers increased in- 
stead of diminishing. 

d. What sanguinary law followed the 
preceding ? 

A. That of punishing with death all Qua- 
kers, who should return into the jurisdiction 
after banishment. 

Q. Was this law ever put in execution ? 

A. It was. In the year 1659, William 
Robinson and Marmaduke Stephenson, and, 
in 1660, Mary Dyer, suffered death. 

Q. Who was the first English magistrate 
appointed for the natives ? 

A. General Gookin of Cambridge, chosen 
in 1656 to be ruler of the praying Indians in 
Massachusetts. 

Q. What distinguished man died in Ply- 
mouth colony in 1656 ? 

A. Myles Standish, who may be justly 
styled The Washington of New-England. 

He was born in Lancashire, England, about the year 1584, 
descended from a family of distinction, and was led by his pe- 
culiar qualities to the military profession, in which he was very 
distinguished. He was chosen commander-in-chief of the 
little band of militia in the colony soon after their settlement, 
and continued in that capacity almost to the close of his life j 
foremost in every hazardous entcrprize, and rendering very- 
essential services to the colony. He was also employed in ma- 

Sanguinai-y, a. cruel, bloody, murderous. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 51 

ny civil offices ; was treasurer of the colony several years, 
and held that office at the time of his death, v/hich took place 
when he was probably near 69 years of age. 

Q. What Indian plot was discovered in 
the year 1657 l 

A. One which was concerted with tiie 
Narragansets, by Alexander, son and succes- 
sor of Massasoit. On hearing of it, Major 
Winslow was sent with 8 or 10 men, to bring 
Alexander to the court. His indignation at 
being surprized, threw him into a fever, of 
which he died. 

Q.. What eminent magistrate died in Ply- 
mouth colony in 1657 ? 

A. William Bradford, who had been an- 
nually elected governor of the colony from the 
year 1621, as long as he lived, excepting 3 
years. 

Q.. What is the biography of Gov. Bradford ? 

A. He was born in England, in 1588, and 
for the sake of religion left his native country, 
and sojourned in Holland until the emigration 
of the pilgrims to America, with whom he ar- 
rived in the May Flower, in 1620. Piety, 
wisdom, and integrity, were prominent traits 
in his character. 

Though not of a liberal education, he was a laborious stu- 
dent, and of respectable attainments. He assiduously studied 
the Hebrew language ; French and Dutch were familiar to 
him ; and he had considerable knowledge of the Latin and 
Greek. Hubbard says, " He was the very prop and glory of 
the Plymouth colony, through all the changes that passed over 
it." 



52 



CONVERSATIONS ON THE 



CONVERSATION X. 

Earthquake.-Grant to Harvard College,-Nantucket settled.- 
Whalley and Goffe.-Praying Indians.-Quakers.-Indian Testa- 
^ent.-King Philip.-Earthquake.-Change relating to Maine- 
Five Nations-MiJitia and shippingof Massachusetts.-FirstBan- 
tist church—Praying Indians-John Eodicott-Gov. Bellinr 
ham-Old South-New charter of Harvard College-Population. 
zTdians/""""^ Press-Gookin's Historical Collections of the 

a. When was the second great earthquake 
recorded in the annals of New-England ^ 
A. In 1658. ^ 

in WSdl^^^ '""^^ ^'^^''^^'^ ^"^ Harvard CoUege 

A. An annual levi/ of £100, by addition 
to the country rate. 

Q. When was Nantucket island first settled 
by the English ? 

A. In 1659, at which time there were 3000 
Indians on the island. 

a. When did the generals WhaUey and 
Uoite arrive at Boston 7 

A. In the year 1660. 

Q. Who were they, and under what cir- 
€Uinstances did they come to this country '? 

A. They were two ofthe judges of Charles 
I. On the prospect of the restoration of 
Charles II., being apprehensive of personal 

Levy, s. the act of raising money or raeiu 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 53 

danger, they fled to the American colonies for 
safety. . , ... 

Finding: friends among the colonists, who privately aided 
tached to his father-in-law from P'-'"^ P'« ^«,. ^^ „ 1675 and 
:„uSal dress^ suddenly appeared among then, and enc„„aj 

a. How many towns of praying Indians 
were there in New-England in 1660 ? 

A. Ten ; and the first Indian chmch was 
now embodied at Natick. 

Q. What took place in 1661 in favour ot 

the auakers ? . ^t i-^ i ;i v^ 

A The government of New-England le- 
ceived a letter from the king, signifymg his 
pleasure that there should be no farther perse- 
cution of his subjects called auakers, and that 
those, who were" imprisoned, should be sent to 

England for trial. , • , , 7 

a. What regard was paid to this letter . 

Consternation, s. terror, Jread, astonishment. 



64 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

A. An order of court was issued, that the 
laws in force against the Quakers shoidd be 
suspended. 

Whereupon, 28 Quakers were released from prison, and 
T*onducted beyond the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. 

Q. What extraordinary book was pubhsh- 
ed this year at Canibridge ? 

A. An Indian translation of the New Tes* 
lament, by John Eliot. In the year 1663, a 
translation of the whole Bible into the Indian 
language was also printed at Cambridge. Dr 
Matlier remarks, that " the whole tra^islation 
was with one pen.*' 

Q,. Foi- what purpose did Philip, sachem 
of Pokanoket, visit tlie government of Ply- 
mouth, in 1662 ? 

A. To renew the amity and friendship, 
which had subsisted between the colony and 
his father and brother. 

On this occasion, the court expressed their willingness to 
wnlinue their friendship, and promised to reuder the Indians 
«Tery consistent assistance in tiieir power. 

Q,. What remarkable event occurred in 1663? 

A. A tremendous earthquake, on the 26 of 
January, which was felt throughout New- 
England and New Netherlands, but with the 
greatest violence in Canada. 

It began in Canada between 5 and 6 o'clock in the eveninff, 
and the first shock continued nearly half an hour. While the 
heavens were serene, there was suddenly heard a great roar 
as of fire, and the buildings were shaken with great violence. 
Several violent shocks succeeded, the same evening and next 
day. The conc ussions did not cease until the following July. 

Concessions s. the act of shaking. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 55 

Q,. What change respecting the govern- 
ment of Maine took place in 1664 ? 

A. That province, by order of the king, 
was restored to Sir Ferdinando Gorges, as the 
proprietor. 

Q,. When was a treaty formed by the col- 
onists with the Five Nations of Indians ? 

A. In 1664, l)y which those nations gave 
iheAr lands and submitted to the king of Eng- 
land. 

Q. What was the state of the militia and 
shipping of Massachusetts in 1665 ? 

A. The militia consisted of 4000 foot and 
400 horse. A fort was maintained at the en- 
trance of Boston harbour, with 5 or 6 guns ; 
there were two batteries in the harbour and 
one at Charlcstown. The number of ships 
and vessels was about 80 from 20 to 40 tons ; 
about 40 from 40 to 100 tons ; and about 12 
above 100 tons. 

Q. When was the first Baptist Church 
gathered at Boston ? 

A. In 1665 ; and the first actual persecu- 
tion of the Baptists in Massachusetts was this 
year. 

Q. What otlier remarkable event occurred 
in 1 665 ? 

A. The death of John Endicott, governor 
of Massachusetts. 

He was from Dorchester in England, and came in 1628, at 
the head of a little colony, to Naumkeak, He commanded the 
expedition against Block Island and the Pequols in 1636 j and 



§6 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

in 1645 was appointed major-general. He was deputy-gov* 
ernor 4 years, and governor 16 years ; and was at the time of 
his death in the 77 year of his age. He was a sincere and 
zealous puritan, rigid in his principles, and severe in the exe- 
cution of the laws against those who differed from the religion 
of Massachusetts, being determined to establish what in his es- 
timation would be a pure and reformed church. 

Q,. Who succeeded Gov. Endicott? 

A. Richard BeUingham, who contmued in 
office from 1665, to 1672. 

Q,, What is the character of Gov. Belhng- 
ham ? 

A. As a lawyer, he was respectable in his 
profession ; as a man, he was benevolent and 
upright ; as a Christian, zealous and devout ; 
as a Governor, attached to the liberties of the 
people, and firm in maintaining them. 

It is noted, in the enumeration of his good qualities, that he 
always hated a bribe. He lived to be the only surviving pa* 
tentee in the charter j and died in 1672, aged 80 years. 

Q,. What were some of the principal events, 
during his administration ? 

A. Massachusetts assumed the government 
of Maine, in 1668. The old South Church 
in Boston^ was gathered in 1669 ; and a new 
charter was granted to Harvard College in 
1672. 

d. What progress had been made in New- 
England, down to the )^ear 1672 ? 

A. From the settlement of the first church 
in Massachusetts at Salem, more than 80 
churches had been gathered, and 120 towns 
built in New-Eno-land. 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. 



57 



Q, Who was the successor of Gov. Bel- 
Ihigham ? 

A. John Leverett, who continued in office, 
from 1673 to 1678. 

Q. How many inhabitants is it supposed 
that New-England contained in 1673 ? 

A. About 120,000, of whom 16,000 were 
able to bear arms. The town of Boston con- 
tained 1500 families. 

a. When was the first printing-press es- 
tablished in Boston ? 

A. In the year 1674, by John Foster. 

Q,. What important literary work was 
completed this year ? 

A. Historical Collections of the Indians, 
by Daniel Gookhi of Cambridge. 

From this respectable authorit}' we learn that, in 1674, there 
were 14 towns of praying- Indians in New-England, and about 
1100 souls " yielding- obedience to the gospel." 



CONVERSATION XI. 

Philip's war. — Col. Church. — Sad consequences of the war. — Maine 
purchased by Massachusetts. — Quakers. — Harvard College rebuilt. 
— Salem.— Edward Randolph. — Fire in Boston. — Plymouth colo- 
ny. — Gov. Dudley. — Edmund Andros. — New-Hampshire united to 
Massachusetts. — First Episcopal society in Boston. — Oxford set- 
tled.— King William and Queen Mary.— Government of Massa- 
chusetts. 

Gi. When did the Narraganset, or king 
Philip's war commence ? 



58 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

A. On the 24 of June, 1675, \^hen nine 
persons were killed by the Indians at Swanzey, 
in the colony of Plymouth. 

Q,. By whom were the Indians instigated 
to begin the war ? 

A. By Philip, king of the Wampanoags, 
whose residence was at Mount Hope, near 
Bristol. 

Some of the circumstances attending- this war, were as fol- 
lows : — Two companies with 110 volunteers, marching from 
Boston, joined the Plymouth forces at Swanzey, and drove 
away the Indians on the 28 June. This resolute charge so 
impressed the mind of Philip, that he left Mount Hope the ^ 
same night. A treaty was soon after concluded with the Nar- 
ragansets, and Capt. Fuller and Lieui. Church were sent with 
50 men to Pocasset, to conclude a peace or fight with the In- 
dians, as circumstances might require. Hostile measures were 
pursued, and Philip, struck with terror at the movements of 
Church, concealed himself in swamps until he and most of his 
company contrived means to escape. Fleeing into the country 
of the Nipmuck Indians, he kindled the flame of war in the 
western plantations of Massachusetts. During the war, the 
fort of the Narragansets, who violated their engagements, was 
taken by the English, after a desperate resistance on the part 
of the Indians, 1000 of their men perished in the contest, and 
their women and children were burnt with the fort. Of the 
English there were killed and wounded 250. 

This dreadful war, which seems to have been a struggle for "^'^ 
existence both by the English and the Indians, continued more 
than a year, during which, about 600 of the inhabitants of 
New-England, composing its principal strength, were either 
killed in battle, or murdered by the enemy ; 12 or 13 towns 
were entirely destroyed, and about 600 buildings, chiefly dwel- 
ling-houses were burnt. It was during this war that Mrs, Ma- 
ry Rowlandson, wife of the minister of Lancaster, was made a 
captive.* 

Gl. What led to the conclusion of this war ? i 
A. The discouragement of the Indians, J^ 

* See Narrative of the Captivity ©f Mary Rowlandson. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 59 

who became divided, scattcrecl.anddisheartenedj 
and began to surrender themselves to theEnghsh; 
and finally the death of Phihp, who, by the 
perseverance and intrepidity of Capt. Church, 
the hero of this war, was discovered in his re- 
treat, and shot through the heart, on the 12 of 
August, 1676, by one of his own tribe. 

Q. Wiiat impressions did the death of 
Philip make at the time of the event ? 

A. It was considered as the extinction of 
a virulent and implacable enemy. 

d. How is it now regarded ? 

A. As the fall of a great warrior, a pen- 
etrating statesman, and a mighty prince. 

Ql, How many buildings were destroyed 
by fire in Boston in the year 1676 ? 

A. About 45 dwelling-houses, the north 
church, and several ware-houses. 

Qi, When was the province of Maine pur- 
chased by Massachusetts 7 

A. In 1677. 

Q,. What new law passed concerning the 
Gluakers this year in Massachusetts ? 

A. That for apprehending and punishing 
by fine and correction any person found at a 
Quaker meeting. 

Q. When was Harvard College rebuilt ? 

A. In 1677 ; 

When a fair and stately brick edifice was erected by con- 
tributions in different places 5 the town of Boston contributing 
£800 for this purpose. 

Extinction^ s. destruction, excision, suppression. 
Virulent, a. very bitter in enmity, malignant. 
Implacable, a. malicious, not to \)§ appeased. 



60 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

Q. How large was the town of Salem at 
this tune ? 

A. It contained 85 houses, and 300 rate- 
able polls. 

Q,. When did Edward Randolph arrive in 
Boston, and in what capacity did he come ? 

A. In 1679, as first collector of the customs 
in New-England. 

d. How was he received by the people ? 

A. He was considered as an enemy, and 
opposed with the steady zeal of men who 
deemed their chartered privileges invaded. 

Q,. What is recorded of the fire in Boston 
in 1679 ? 

A. That it broke out on the 5 of August^ 
about midnight, near the doclv, and continued 
until near noon, next day. Above 80 houses, 
70 ware-houses, with several vessels and their 
lading, were consumed. The entire loss was 
computed at £200.000. 

Q,. When did Randolph, who has been 
styled the evil genius of New-England, appear 
the second time in Boston ? 

A. In 1681, and met with the same reception. 

In 1683, he came again with a letter of complaint from the 
king. Agents were then sent by the colony to England, who- 
were threatened with a quo warranto, unless they should speed- 
ily obtain powers from their government to surrender their 
charter to the king. These powers were not granted, a que 
toarranto was accordingly issued, and, in 1684, the charier of 
Massachusetts was declared to be forfeited, and their liberties' 
and franchises were seized into the king's hands. 

Q,. How was the colony of Plymouth divi^ 
ded in 1685 ? 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 61 

A. Into 3 counties ; Plymouth, Barnstable, 
and Bristol. 

Q,. How many praying Indians were 
in that colony at this time ? 

A. About 1439. 

Q.. Who was appointed president of Mas- 
sachusetts and New-Hampshire under the 
king in 1686 : 

A» Joseph Dudley ; but he exercised his 
authority only a few months, being succeeded 
by Sir Edmund Andros. 

Q,. Over what portion of territory did the 
authority of Andros extend ? 

A. The whole of New-England. 

Q. When did he arrive at Boston to as- 
sume the government ? 

A. On the 20 December, 1686. 

d. What was the character of his admin- 
istration ? 

A. It was oppressive and tyrannical. 

He and his council made laws at their own pleasure. Per- 
sons were imprisoned by him, and fined from £20 to £30, for 
voting to petition the king for liberty of an assembly, before 
they make any rates. 

Q,. What course did the people take under 
such oppression ? 

A. Some of the principal colonists in Mas- 
sachusetts sent Increase Mather, one of the 
ministers in Boston, to England, as an agent to 
make known their grievances to king James 11. 

Q,. Did the people patiently wait until they 
6 



62 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

could know the success of their agent, ])cfore 
they adopted violent measures ? 
A. They did not. 

Exasperated at the increasiiior tyranny of their oppressors, 
they collected around Boston in a considerable body on the 
18 of April, 1686, and look their governor. Sir Edmund An- 
dres, a prisoner, with about 50 oliiers, who had supported his 
measures, and put them in confinement. 

Q,. What became of Sir Edmund ? 

A. He was sent to England by an order 
from king William, given at Whitehall, 30 
July, 1689, but he escaped without any pun- 
ishment. He was afterwards governor of Vir- 
ginia, and died in London in 1714, at an ad- 
vanced age. 

d. Did New-Hampshire again become 
united with Massachusetts after Andros was 
deposed ? 

A. It did, and so remained until tliat colo- 
ny received a new charter from king William 
and queen Mary. 

Q,. When was the first Episcopal society 
formed in Boston ? 

A. In 1686 ; just before tire arrival of 
Andros, who, without the consent of the pro- 
prietors, made use of the Old South Church 
for divine service, by that society. 

d. When was their first church erected ? 

A. In 1688, in Tremont street, and called 
King's Chapel. 

Exasperate, v. to provoke, to enrage. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 63 

Q,. When and by whom was the township 
of Oxford settled ? 

A. In 1G86, by 30 French Protestant fam- 
ihes, who had been compelled to abandon their 
native country. 

Q,. How many Indian churches and as- 
semblies were in Plymouth and Massachu- 
setts in 1687? 

A. Besides the principal church at Natick, 
there were 4 Indian assemblies of worship- 
pers in Massachusetts, and in Plymouth colo- 
ny ; besides the principal church at Marshpee, 
there were 5 assemblies, and a large congre- 
gation at Saconet. Between Saconet and 
Cape Cod, there were 6 societies, with an In- 
dian teacher to each ; 1 church at Nantuc- 
ket, and 3 at Martha's Vineyard. 

Q,. When were king William and queen 
Mary proclaimed at Boston ? 

A. In 1689 ; with much ceremony, and 
demonstrations of great joy. 

Q.. What was the state of the government 
at this time ? 

A. It was first entrusted to a council of 
safety, but afterwards the old governor and 
magistrates were reinstated in ofiice. 



64 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 



CONVERSATION XII. 

Port Royal taken. — First Paper Money.— New Charter of Massa- 
chusetts.— Gov.Phipps — Witchcraft delusion. — Act of the Legisla- 
ture- — Indian depredations at York and Wells. — Law respecting 
Taverns. — Population of New England. — Indian Churches. — Ex- 
treme Cold. — Expected Invasion. — Gov. Bradstreet. — Stoughton 
Hall. — Fire in Salem.— Brattle-Slreet Church.— Population. 

Q,. When and by whom was Port Royal 
taken from the French ? 

A. In 1692, by a body of Massachusetts 
forces under the command of Sir Wilham 
Phipps, who arrived in New-England in the 
summer of 1689. He also took possession of 
the whole sea coast, from Port Royal to the 
New-England settlements. 

Q,. When was paper money first issued in 
the American colonies ? 

A. In 1690, by the Massachusetts govern- 
ment, for the payment of their troops, who 
had been sent on an unsuccessful expedition 
against Canada. 

Q,. When was the new charter granted to 
Massachusetts ? 

A. In 1692, from king William and queen 
Mary. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 65 

Under this charter the colonies of Plymouth and Massachtt- 
setts were united. 

Q,. Who was the first governor under this 
charter ? 

A. Sir WiUiam Phipps. 

Q.. How long did lie continue in office ? 

A. Until 1694, when, on account of a dis- 
pute with the collector of customs and a na- 
val officer, in which his lano^uasje and treat- 
ment of tliem were highly unbecoming a magis- 
trate, he was complained of to the king, and 
ordered to England, for which place he sailed 
in November, 1694. 

Q. Was he reinstated in favour of the 
king? 

A. He seems to have been so, and was 
planning further services, when a malignant 
fever put a period to his existence in the month 
of February, 1695, at the age of 45 years. 

He was born in 1650 at Pemaquid,* where he kept sheep 
until he was 18 years old, and then commenced apprentice- 
ship to a ship-carpenter. When he became of age, he set up 
his trade, and built a ship at Sheepscote. He afterwards fol- 
lowed the sea, and having been successful in obtaining a 
Spanish wreck conlaii)ing a great quantity of treasure, he 
was introduced to men of rank, and finally knighted by king 
James II. He was esteemed as an honest and pious man, but 
through the influence of a low education, and passionate tem- 
per, he was not always exemplary as a man and a magistrate. 
He was a man of great enterprize and industry, and to these 

Propitious, a. favourable, kind. 

* In Maine. 



66 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

qualities, with a series of propitious incidents, rather than to 
any uncommon talents, is his promotion to the first office in 
this country to be ascribed. 

Q.. What remarkable delusion prevailed in 
Massachusetts in 1692 ? 

A. That of supposed witchcraft, which was 
principally confined to the county of Essex. 

Q,. How many persons lost their lives by 
this delusion 7 

A. Twenty ; of whom 19 were executed 
by hanging, and one by being pressed to death ; 
all of whom asseited their innocence. 

Gi. What put a stop to these cruel pro- 
ceedings ? 

A. The great number of accusations against 
persons of irreproachable lives, some of whom 
were in the higher walks of Hfe. 

Q. What remarkable act was passed in 
the general court in 1692 ? 

A. An act asserting the rights and privi- 
leges of the people. 

Q,. What places were assaulted this year 
by the Indians l 

A. York and Wells in the province of 
Maine. 

On the 25 of January, the Indians, accompanied by some 
French, surprised the town of York, killed about 75 of the 
inhabitants, carried about the same number into captivity, and 
nearly destroyed the town. On the 10 of June, an army of 
French and Indians made a furious attack on the garrison at 
Wells, commanded by Capt. Convers, who, after a brave and 
resolute defence, drove them off with great loss. 

Q.. What act was passed by the Massa- 

Irrepronchahle, a. free from reproach, or blame. 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. 67 

cliusetts legislature in 1694, respecting tav- 
erns ? 

A. An act requiring the selectmen of 
each town to cause to be posted up in all pub- 
lic houses within the town, a list of the names 
of all persons reputed drunkards, or common 
tipplers ; and every keeper of such house, was 
subjected to a fine for giving them enter- 
tainment. 

Q.. How many inhabitants were there in 
New England in 1696? 

A. About 100,000, and 130 churches* 

Q,. How many Indian churches ? 

A. Thirty. 

Q.. For what was the winter of 1696 
remarkable ? 

A. For being colder than any winter since 
the settlement of New-England. 

During a great part of it, sleighs and loaded sleds passed 
on the ice from Boston as far as Nantasket, [Hull.] Also a 
greater scarcity than had been known after the first year j 
and grain had never been at a higher price. 

Q.. What circumstance excited great alarm 
in New-England, in 1697 ? 

A. An expectation of invasion by the 
French, who actually sent out a fleet under 
the Marquis de Nesmond, but the season was 
advanced, provisions failed, and the design 
was relinquished. 

Q,. What magistrate died in Massachu- 
setts in 1697? 



68 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

A. Simon I>riidslreet, formerly governor of 
the state, ageil 91 years. 

He was the you nicest of all the assistants who came over 
with the first charter of Massachusetts, — was afterwards secre- 
tary, agent, commissioner for the united colonies, and at 
length governor. Though possessed of no vigorous or splen- 
did talents, he appears, by his integrity, prudence, moderation 
and piety, to have merited and acquired the confidence of all 
classes of people. He married a daughter of Gov. Thomas 
Dudley, a woman of distinguished genius and learning, and au- 
thor of a volume of poems. His descendants are respectable. 

Q, VVlicn was Stoiigliton Hall built, and ' 
by whom l 

A. hi 1698, at the expense of Lieut. Gov. 
Stoughtoii, a respectable magistrate and patron 
of learning, in honour of whom it was named. 

Q,. W hen was the Ihst considerable fire 
in Salem I 

A. In 1C)9S ; it destroyed several houses, 
and considerable otiier property. 

Q. When was Brattle-Street Church built 
in Boston .^ 

A. In 1699, when Mr. (afterwards Dr.) 
Colman, who had been oidained in liOndon, 
took the pastoral care of the church and 
society. 

Q. What A\'as the population of Boston 
in 1700 / 

A. About 7,000. The town contained at 
this time about 1000 houses. 

Q. What was the number of inhabitants 
in the colonies about the commencement of 
the eighteenth century ? 
A. 262,000. 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. 69 



CONVERSATION XIII. 

Earl of Rellomont. — Small-pox in Boston. — Queen Anne's War. — 
Eastern Indians.— Deerfield attacked by the Indians.— Col. Church. 
— First Newspaper in Boston. — Unsuccessful expedition against 
Port. Royal. — Indian Depredations. — Port Royal taken. — Unsuc- 
cessful expedition against Canada. — Fire in Boston. — Treaty of 
Utrecht.— Gov. Shute. 

Q.. When did Richard, earl of Bellomont, 
become governor of New York, Massachusetts 
and Ne\v-Hamj3shire ? 

A. In 1(399. 

Q,. Wliat wa.s his character ? 

A. He was condescending, aflable and 
courteous, and rendered himself very popular 
in his government. 

Q. Who succeeded him ? 

A. Joseph Dudley, already mentioned as 
president of New-England, who arrived with 
a commission from queen Anne, as governor 
of Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, in 
1702. He continued in that office until the 
year 1716. 

Q.. What remarkable events happened in 
1702 ? 

A. The appearance of the small-pox in 
Boston, whicli spread through the town, and 
swept olF 300 of the inhabitants ; and the 
declaration of war against France by queen 
Anne, by which the American colonies again 
became involved in a French and Indian war. 



70 



CONVERSATIONS ON THET 



Q,. When did governor Dudley hold a 
conference with the Eastern Indians ? 

A. In 1703 ; when they assured him that 
they had not a thought of breaking the peace, 
that the union was " Firm as a mountain, and 
should continue as long as the sun and moon." 

But ill the space of about six weeks after, a body of French 
and Indians, in various parties, attacked all the settlements 
from Casco to Wells, killed and took 130 persons, burning 
and destroying all before thera. 

Q. When was the town of Deerfield 
assaulted ) 

A, In 1704, by 300 French and Indians, 
commanded by Hertel de Roville. 

The centinel was asleep, and the snow was of such depth, 
as to admit an entrance over the pickets of the fort, in the 
centre of the town. The assailants, availing" themselves of 
these advantages, fell instantly on the unguarded inhabitants, 
slew 33, and took 112 prisoners. Setting fire to the town, 
they left it in a conflagration, and proceeded to Canada. 

Q.. Who was sent on an expedition against 
the Indians, to the Eastward this year ? 

A. Col. Benjamin Church, so distmguished 
for his bravery m Philip's war. 

He sailed from Boston in May, with 530 soldiers, and dur- 
ing the summer, destroyed two towns, did considerable dam- 
age to the French and Indians at Penobscot and Passama- 
quoddy, and even insulted Port Royal. 

Q,. When was the first newspaper pub- 
lished in Boston ? 

A. In 1704, by Bartholomew Greene. It 
was called the Boston News Letter, and was 
the first paper published in America. 

Assault^ V. to attack, to invade. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 71 

Q,. What towns were attacked by the 
Indians in 1706 ? 

A. Chehnsford, Sudbuiy, Groton, Exeter, 
Dover, and others. 

Q,. Wliat military expedition was under- 
taken by New-Engkmd in 1707 ? 

A. An attack on Port Royal. 

By two regiments under the command of Col. March, who 
embarked in 23 transports, furnished with whale boats, under 
convoy of the Deptford man of war, and the province gal- 
ley. But after some skirmishes, and ineflectual attempts to 
bombard the fort : from disagreement and misapprehension of 
the state of the fort and garrison, the enterprise was aban- 
doned. 

Q. When was Haverhill assaulted by the 
French and Indians ? 

A. In 1708, about break of day on the 
9 of August. 

They burned several houses, and plundered the rest. 
Mr. Rolfe the minister, and 30 or 40 other persons were killed, 
and many taken prisoners. The two daughters of Mr. Rolfe, 
six or eight years old, were remarkably preserved. His 
maid at the moment of alarm, sprang out of bed, ran with the 
two children into a cellar, and covered them with two large 
tubs, which the Indians did not move.* 

Q,. When was Port Royal actually cap- 
tured by the English ? 

A. In 1710, by a fleet under the command 
of Col. Nicholson. 

They sailed from New-England on the 18 of September, 
and on the 1 of October the place surrendered, after the loss 

Transport, s. a vessel of carriage, in wliich soldiers are conveyed 
Bombard, v. to attack with bombs, [shells filled with gunpowdejr.] 

* One of them was afterward the wife of Col. Hatch of 
Dorchester 5 the other of Rev. Mr. Checkley of Boston. 



72 CaNVERSATIONS ON THE 

on the part of the English of 14 or 15, besides 26 drowned by 
the wreck of a transport. 

Q. Was any other expedition planned 
during this wai* ? 

A. One was planned and undertaken in 
1711, for the reduction of Canada, which had 
long been a favourite object with the English ; 
but after several disasters, among which was 
the loss of 1000 men by shipwreck, the un- 
dertaking was relinquished. 

d. What other remarkable event occur- 
red in 1711 ? 

A. A great fire in Boston, which consumed 
all the houses on each side of the main street^ 
from School-street to the foot of Cornhill ; 
among which were the town-house, and the 
church. 

Q,. When was the treaty of peace conclu- 
ded at Utrecht ? 

A. On the 30 of March, 1713, by which 
the American colonies were again relieved from 
the miseries of war. 

A treaty with the Eastern Indians, at their own request, was 
concluded at Portsmouth, by Gov. Dudley, in July, same year. 

d. When was the New North church 
built in Boston ? 

A. In 1714 ; and in this year was built 
the first schooner at Cape Ann. 

Q,. Who succeeded Joseph Dudley in the 
office of governor 7 

A. Samuel Shute, appointed in 1716, who 
had been an officer under the Duke of Marl- 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 73 

borough, a celebrated English general, and 
had been wounded in one of the principal bat- 
tles in Flanders. 

Q.. How long was he in office ? 
A. About 6 years. He returned to Eng- 
land, and died in April, 1742, aged 80 years. 

Q,. When did governor Shute hold a con- 
ference with the Eastern Indians ? 

A. In 1717, at Arrowsick Island, when 
the treaty of Portsmouth was renewed. 

Q. What was the number of sailors em- 
ployed in the trade of Massachusetts in 1717? 
A. 3493, and 490 ships; making 25,406 tons. 
Q,. What rendered the winter of 1717 
remarkable ? 

A. The greatest snow ever known in 
New-England, which fell in the months of 
February and March, to the depth of 8 feet on 
a level. 

Q,. What sum was contributed by the 
churches in Boston in the year 1718, towards 
the pious charity for promoting the conversion 
of the Indians to the Christian faith ? 

A. Four hundred and eighty-three pounds. 
Q. When was the second church in Salem 
formed J 

A. In 1718 ; and an edifice was built for 
its use in Essex-street. 

The inhabitants of Salein unliJ this time Lad constituted but 
one religious society. 



74 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

Q,. What newspaper was begun to be pub- 
lished m Boston in 1719 1 

A. Tlie second wliicii made its appearance 
in British America, named the Boston Gazette, 
printed by J. Frankhn. 

Q,. When was the Aurora Borealis fust 
seen in New-England ? 

A. On the 17 of December, 1719, to the 
great consternation of the people. 

It was first seen in Old England in 1715, and filled the 
coimtry with great alarm. 

Q. W1iat remarkable act was passed by 
the legislature of Massachusetts in 1720 ? 

A. An act for the suppression of idleness 
and immorality. 

By this act the selecimen or overseers of the poor were em- 
powered to set to work all persons, able of body, having no 
means to maintain tliem, that live idly, and have no ordinary 
trade or business to get their living by." 

Q.. W hat was the number of Indians at 
Martha's Vineyard at this time 1 
A. About 800. 

They lived in small villages, each village having an Indiaa 
preacher. 

d. When was tea first used in New-Eng- 
land ? 

A. In 1720. 

Since which time, from being a luxunj used only iu the fam- 
ilies of the wealthy or voluptuous, it has come to be classed 
with the ordinary necessaries of life. 

Aurora Borealis, i. northern light. 
Ltixury, 3. delicious fare. 
yolnptuoiif, a. fond of luxury. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 75 

Q.. Wliat distinguished man died at Rox- 
biiiy in 1720 ? 

A. Joseph Dudley, formerly governor of 
tlie state, in the 73 year of his age. 

He was a son of Thomas Dudley, and was born at Roxbury, 
23 September, 1647. He received his education at Harvard 
Collef^e, and was early broun^ht into public life, beingf elected 
a representative when but 25 years of a^e, and a counsellor 
when less than 30. He was an officer in Philip's war, and in 
1682 was sent to England as agent for Massachusetts ; return- 
ed as president of New-England in 1686 ; went again to Eng- 
land in 1689, and returned as chief justice of New- York in 
1690. He was eight years lieutenant-governor of the Isle of 
Wight, and was governor of Massachusetts and New-Hamp- 
shire from 1702 to 1705. 

He was a man of learning, an accomplished gentleman, 
ambitious in his views, even at the expense of his country ; 
fond of ceremony in government ; was attached to congrega- 
tional principles, and an observer of the duties of religion. 



CONVERSATION XIV. 

Inoculation for small-pox introduced. — Fourth newspaper. — Militia 
of Massacbuseits.— Hostility of eastern Indians.— Act respecting 
funerals.— Great storm and tide,— Lovewell's fight.— Treaty of 
Falmouth. — Great earthquake. —Gov. Durnet. — Gov. Delcher. — 
Militia. — Commerce of the colony. — Salem.— Episcopal church 
in Salem. 

Gl. When and by whom was inoculation for 
the small-pox introduced into New-England ? 

A. In 1721, by Dr. Zabdiel Boylston of 
Boston, it being recommended by Rev. Dr. 
Cotton Mather. 

The small-pox was at that time making great ravages in 
Boston and vicinity. 



76 CONVEIISATIONS ON THE 

Q,. What newspaper was begun to be pub- 
lished at Boston tliis year ? 

A. The New-England Courant, by James 
Frankhn, brother of the celebrated Dr.Frankhn. 

Q, AVhat was the number of the mihtia 
of Massachusetts in 1722 I 

A. It consisted of 16 regiments of foot, and 
15 troops of horse. 

Q. What Indians manifested a hostile dis- 
position to the people of New-England at this 
time ? 

A. The eastern Indians, who were offend- 
ed with the English for making settlements m 
their vicinity, and harassed them by perpetual 
depredations. 

Their discontents were supposed to have been heightened 
by Father Ilalle, a French Jesuit, residing' at Norridgewock 
in Maine ; and a body of men, under Col. Weslbrooke, was 
sent to seize him as the principal instigator of the mischief. 
But he escaped into the woods, and they merely brought off 
his strong box of papers. The Indians, in revenge, beside 
other acts of hostility, destroyed the town of Berwick. At 
length, in 17i4, the government issued a declaration of war, 
and offered a bounty of £100 for every Indian scalp. Cap- 
tains Moulton and Harman of York, each at the head of 100 
mefn, invested and surprised the village of Norridgewock, kill- 
ed Ralle with about 80 of his Indians, recovered captives : 
destroyed the chapel, and brought away the plate and furniture 
of the altar, and a devotional flag, as trophies of their victory. 

U. What law respecting funerals was pass- 
ed in Massachusetts in 1724 ? 

A. An act retrenching the extraordinary 
expense attending them. 

And prohibiting the giving of scarves, as had been custom- 
ary, od the penalty of £20. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 11 

Q,. What remarkable event happened m 
1724? 

A. A great storm, attended with a very 
uncommon tide. 

At Boston the tide rose 2 feet higher than it had ever been 
known to rise before. At Hampton, the sea broke over its 
natural limits, and inundated the marshes for many miles. 

Q,. When and where was Love well's battle 
fought ? 

A. On the 8 of May, 1726, at the village 
of Peqiiawkett, in Fryeburg, Maine. 

Q. What was the character of this battle ? 

A. It was one of the most fierce and ob- 
stinate which had ever been fought with the 
Indians. Out of 34 men, who composed Capt. 
Lovewell's company, 18, including the captain, 
were killed, or perished from their wounds. 

Gl. When was the treaty of peace with the 
eastern Indians formally ratified at Falmouth ? 

A. In 1726/ 

Q,. When did the great earthquake hap- 
pen in New-England '\ 

A. On the 29 of October, 1727. 

It commenced at about 40 minutes past ten at night, in a 
very clear and serene sky, when every thing seemed to be in 
a most perfect calm and tranquillity. The motion was nndu- 
lalory. The doors, windows, and moveables, made a fearful 
clattering. Stone walls and the tops of chimneys were shaken 
down. Its duration was about 2 minutes. 

Undulatory^ a, rooTing in the manner of waves. 

* Hutchinson remarks, that " this treaty has been applaud- 
ed, as the most judicious which has ever been made with the 
Indians." 

7* 



7^ CONVERSAT'IONS ON TtlE 

Q,. Wlio was the successor of Governor 
Shute, and wlieii was he appointed to office ? 

A. Wilham Burnet, who was appointed 
governor of New- York and New-Jersey in 
1720, arid of Massachusetts and New-Hamp- 
shire in 1728. 

Q.i What is known of Governor Burnet ? 

A. He Avas son of Gilbert Burnet, bishop 
of Sahsbury, in England, and was born at the 
Hague in Holland, in March, 1688 ; arrived 
in Boston in July, 1728, and was received with 
unusual pomp. 

Q,. How long was he in office ? 

A. But little more than a year, as he died 
in September, 1729, at the age of 41. 

He was a man of superior talents, and in many respects of 
an amiable character ; was deeply acquainted with books, 
and his library was one of the richest private collections in 
America. 

Q,. Who succeeded him 'J 

A. Jonathan Belcherj the last governoi' 
whose commission united both Massachusetts 
and New- Hampshire. 

He was son of Andrew Belcher, a member of the council of 
Massachusetts 5 was born in January, 1682 ; educated at Har- 
vard College, and received his first degree when 17 years of 
age. He went to England, and was absent six years ; return- 
ed, and became a merchant in Boston ; was elected one of the 
council, and in 1729 was sent to England as agent for his na- 
tive province, and returned in 1730 as governor. He was re- 
moved from office in 1741, in consequence of false charges 
made by his enemies } but he repaired to court, and made liis 
innocence appear, was restored to royal favour, and received 
the appointment of governor of New-Jersey, in which province 
he died, 31 August, 1757, in his 7G year. 

His character perhaps has been viewed in too favourable a 
light. For, though he was distinguished for a regular attend- 



niSl'ORY OP MASSACHtJSETfS. 79 

ance on the duties of religion, and often expressed his hiffh 
sense of its importance J for his dig^nity of deportment, franlt- 
ness, love of justice, truth, and benevolence ; he was extremely 
liberal in his censures, both in his conversation and letters, and 
was particularly bitter ag-ainst his enemies, bestowing upon 
them in his private correspondence, and upon some who were 
hig-h in office, terms of severe reproach, and coarse and ludi- 
crous epithets. 

Q. Wliat was the number of the mihtia in 
Massachusetts m 1730 ? 

A. 5000. And nearly 500 ships and 4000 
sailors were employed in the foreign traffic of 
the colony. 

Q. What was the commercial state of the 
colony in 1731 7 

A. Its trade was computed to employ 600 
sail of ships and sloops, making at least 38,000 
tons, one half of which traded to Europe. 
And from 5000 to 6000 men were employed 
in its fisheries. 

Q,. How large was the town of Salem in 
1732? 

A. It contained 520 houses, 5000 inhabi- 
tants, and 1200 taxable polls. 

Qi When was the first Episcopal church 
built in Salem ? 

A. In 1733. 



Ludicrous, a. burlesque, exciting laughter^ 
Poll, s. the head. 



80 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 



CONVERSATION XV. 

Freemason Lodge in Boston. — First public market in do. — Throat 
distemper. — Stockbridge. — Sliipping in Massachusetts. — Faneuil- 
Hall. — Declaration of war by Great-Britain against France. — 
Capture of Louisbourg. — Expedition against Canada. — Treaty of 
Aix-la-Chapelle.— ludians. — Remarkable drought. — Law against 
theatrical entertainments. — New style. — &mall-pox. — Reduction 
of Nova-Scotia. —Earthquake.— Death of secretary Willard. 

Q.. When was the first lodge of Freema- 
sons holden in Boston ? 

A. In 1733 ; and then- first pubUc proces- 
sion was in 1789. 

Q,. When was the first pubhc market es- 
tabhshed in Boston ? 

A. In 1734. 

Q,. For what was the year 1735 remarkable? 

A. For an epidemic disease, [cynanche ma- 
ligna,] or throat distemper. 

It first made its appearance at Kingston, N. H., in May, 
making great ravages in that place and vicinity; and in Sep- 
tember it appeared in Boston, where of 4000 persons who had 
the distemper, 114 died. In New-Hampshire, the mortality 
was much greater. It gradually spread over all the colonies, 
principally affecting children, 

Q.. What township was granted to the 
Housatonic Indians in 1736 ? 

A. Stockbridge, which at that time con- 
tained 90 Indians, of whom 52 were baptized. 

Q,. What progress was making in regard 
to the shipping of Massachusetts in 1741 ') 

A. There were on the stocks 40 topsail 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 81 

vessels of about 7000 tons. Tn Marblehead 
there were about 160 fishing schooners of 
about 50 tons each. 

Q,. AVhen and by whom was Faneuil- 
Hall, which has been styled the " Cradle of 
American Liberty," built in Boston ? 

A. fn 1742, by Peter Faneuil, Esq., who 
gave it to the town, and died just at the time 
of its completion. 

Gi. What was the number of dwelling- 
houses in Boston, in 1742 ? 

A. 1719. 

0,4 What was the state of the shipping in 
New-England in 1743 7 

A. It is said to have consisted of at least 
1000 sail, besides fishing barks. Ship build- 
ing declined at this period. 

Q. How many men in the military estab- 
lishment of Massachusetts were employed this 
year in the public service ? 

A. 114. 

d. What rendered the year 1744 remark- 
able ? 

A. The declaration of war by Great-Bri- 
tain against France, in which the American 
colonies were again involved. 
I Q,. What extraordinary achieveme?it was 
i performed by the New-England colonists dur- 
I ing this war ? 

A. The capture of Louisbourg at Cape Bre- 

Jchievenunti s. an exploit. 



82 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

ton, a place so strong!}^ fortified as to be deem- 
ed i??ipregnable, and from this circumstance 
called the Dunkirk of America. 

The siege of this place was attended with almost incredible 
labour and hardship. Cannon were drawn, with extreme dif- 
ficulty for fourteen nights successively, from the landinp^-place 
throug-h a morass to the camp. The men, with straps over 
their shoulders, and their feet sinking in mud, performed the 
service, which horses or oxen, on such ground, could not 
have done. 

Q,. What large vessel was launched this 
year at Boston ? 

A. The ship Massachusetts, of about 400 
tons, designed to carry 26 and 9 pounders ; 
and the command of it given to Edward 
Tyng. 

Q,. What was 2^rojected by Gov. Shirley 
in 1746? 

A. An expedition against Canada, and 
the other dominions of the French in North 
America. 

The colonies readily furnished their quotas of men, but no 
assistance arriving from England, it was thought proper to de- 
fer the undertaking. 

Q.. What gave great alarm to the people 
of New-England in the autumn of 1746 ? 

A. InteUigence that a large French fleet 
under the command of Duke d'Anville, had 
arrived at Nova-Scotia, to prosecute an inva- 
sion of New-England. 

Impregnable, a, in such a manner as to defy force. 

Dunkirk, s. a seaport in the north of France, which in the time ■■ 
of Lewis the XIV. was one of the best fortified ports in the 
kingdom. J 

Project, V. to scheme, to form in the mind, to contrive. i 



1 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 83 

In consequence, defensive preparations were made ; G'lOO of 
the inland militia were sent into Boston, and the country was 
kept in a state of anxiety for 6 weeks; but the loss of their 
commander, a pestilence, and many other disasters happening 
to the fleet, the ships which escaped destruction, returned 
singly to France. 

Q.. What circumstance excited great alarm 
in Boston in the year 1747? 

A. The impressment of several of the 
citizens by Commodore Knovvles, while lying 
with a number of men of war at Nantasket, 
to make good his losses by desertion. 

On this occasion, the inhabitants were highly exasperated, 
several thousands of them assembled round the town-house 
when the court was sitting-, and violent measures were pur- 
sued ; nor could the people be appeased, until they obtained 
the dismissal of those who were impressed. 

Q, What happy event occurred in 1748 ? 

A. The conclusion of a treaty of peace 
between England and France, signed at Aix- 
la-Chapelle, in the month of October, by which 
Cape Breton was restored to the French. 

Qt. What was the trade of Boston this year ? 

A. 500 vessels cleared out from the port 
for foreign trade, and 430 entered, exclusive of 
coasting and lishing vessels. 

Q. Did the cessation of arms between the 
belligerent powers put a stop to the incursions 
of the Indians ? 

A. Not entirely. 

But, some of the eastern tribes at length showing a disposi- 
tion to be peaceable, a treaty was concluded with them in 
September, 1749, at Casco Bay, founded on that of Gov.Dum- 
mcr 23 years previous. 

Belligerent, a. waging' war. 

Incursion, i. attack, niitr.hievmis ocrtintnce, iRvasioii. 



84 CONVERSATIONS ON TPIE 

Gl. What calamity bcfel the inhabitants of 
New-Euglaiid in 1749 ? 

A. A severe clrouglit, attended in many 
places with swarms of devouring insects. Such 
was its effect on the grass, that some of the 
people were obhged to send to Pennsylvania, 
and others to England for hay. 

Q,. What remarkable act was passed by 
the Massachusetts legislature in 1750 ? 

A. A law prohibiting theatrical entertain- 
ments : 

" Which," as expressed in the preamble, '' not only occa- 
sion great and unnecessary expenses, and discourage industry 
and frugality ; but likewise tend greatly to increase immo- 
rality, impiety, and irreligion." 

Q. When was the New Style adopted I 

A. In 1752, from which time the year, 
instead of beginning on the 25 of March, was 
computed from the 1 of January. The 3 day 
of September was now dated the 14, and other 
days were reckoned accordingly. 

Ct. What disease prevailed in Boston this 
year ? 

A. The small-pox. 

Of 5544 persons, who had it the natural way, 514 died ; of 
2100, who had it by inoculation, 31 died. 

Gl. What gave rise to difficulties between 
the French and English in 1753 ? 

A. Disagreement respecting an important 
tract of American territory, which was claimed 
by each nation. In this originated a war 
which continued 10 years, and in which the 
colonies sustained a part. 



HISTORV OF MASSACHUSETTS. 85 

Q. What interesting anniversary was this 
year publicly celebrated in Boston ? 

A. That of the Society for encouraging 
industry and employing the poor. 

About 300 young female spinsters, decently dressed, appear- 
ed on the common, where their w heels were placed regularly 
in 3 rows, and a female was seated at each wheel. The wea- 
vers also appeared cleanly attired in garments of their own 
weaving. One of them, working in a loom on a stage, was 
carried on men's shoulders, attended with music. An im- 
mense number of spectators attended 3 and the Rev. Mr. 
Cooper delivered a discourse on the occasion. The institution, 
however, continued but 3 or 4 years. 

Q,. What were some of the events of the 
year 1754 ? 

A. The appearance of hostilities in the 
eastern Indians, against whom defensive meas- 
ures w^ere taken, and a renewal of the treaty 
obtained ; and the passage of the excise act ; 
and incorporation of the Massachusetts Marine 
Society by the legislature. 

Q. What enterprizc was planned by the 
English in 1755 7 

A* The reduction of Nova-Scotia. 

The troops, drawn from the colonies for this purpose, were 
nearly all taken from Massachusetts, at the head of whom was 
Lieut. Col. Winslow, an officer of great respectability. They 
embarked at Boston in May, the command of the expedition 
being given to Lieut. Col. Monokton, a British officer of res- 
pectable military talents. The expedition was a most success- 
ful one, with the loss to the English of but 20 killed, and about 
the same number wounded, 

Gi, What remarkable event happened on 
the 18 November, 1755 ? 

A. The most terrible earthquake which 
had ever been known in the country. 
8 



86 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

It began, in Boston, a little after 4 o'clock, in a serene and 
pleasant night, and continued nearly 4J minutes ; throwing 
down nearly 10 chimneys, besides shattering 1500. Many 
other effects of its violence were to be seen in 13oston and else- 
where. Its motion was undulatory. 

Q,. What eminent man died in Massachu- 
setts in 1756 ? 

A. Josiali Willaid, secretary of the prov- 
ince, in the 76 year of his age. 

He filled the office of secretary nearly forty years, and, dur- 
ing some part of the lime, was counsellor and judge of probate. 
He was son of Rev. Samuel VVillard of Boston, and educated 
at Harvard College, where he was graduated in 1698. He 
was eminently useful in his public offices, and exemplary for 
his piety and christian zeal. His death was universally re- 
gretted. 



CONVERSATION XVI. 

Massachusetts legislature jealous of their rights. — Second capture 
of Louisbourg. — First Stamp Act.— Canada taken. — Gov. Shirley. 
— Gov. Pownall — Gov. Bernard. — Great Fire in Boston. — Writs 
of assistance. — James Otis. — Events in '61. — William Dummer. — 
Newspapers. — Treaty of Paris. — Taxation of the colonies. — Ilollis 
Hall.— Stamp Act — Excitement produced by it,— General con- 
grass.— Houses, &.c. in Boston.— Repeal of the Stamp Act.— Duties. 
—Indians. — Petition to the king. — Non-importation agreement. — 
Revolutionary signs.— Troops quartered InBoston.— Essex Gazette. 

d. On what occasion did the Massachu- 
setts legislature manifest a jealousy of their 
liberties in 1757 ? 

A. Having been informed by the governor 
that a regiment of Highlanders was expected 
in Boston, they provided barracks for the ac- 
commodation of 1.000 men at Castle-Island. 
But the provision was declared to be made, not 
as an expense which could of " of right" be 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 87 

demanded of the inhabitants, but as an ad- 
vance of money on tlie national account. 

An occurrence soon after put this right to the test ; a short 
controversy ensued with Lord Loudon, the commander of the 
British troops, and an address was sent to the governor by the 
general court, in which they asserted their rights as British 
subjects, and showed that spirit of independence, which in sub- 
sequent years led the people to throw off the yoke of oppression. 

Q.. Wiien was Louisbourg again captured 
by the English ? 

A. In 1758, on which occasion Massachu- 
setts furnished 7000 men. 

Q,. When was the first stamp act passed 
in Massachusetts ? 

A. In 1758. 

Q.. In what year was Canada taken by 
the Enghsh ? 

A. In 1760. 

The city of Quebec, though strongly fortified by nature and 
art, was taken in 1739 5 principally by means of the brave 
General Wolfe, who fell in the attack, as did the brave Gene- 
ral Montcalm in the defence, of the city. But the entire re- 
duction of Canada was not effected until the year 1760, since 
which time it has remained in peaceable possession of the Bri- 
tish ; nor were the colonies, until the rupture between them 
and the mother country, troubled with incursions from the In- 
dians. 

Q.. Who succeeded Jonathan Belcher as 
governor of Massachusetts ? 

A. William Shirley, who acted a conspicu- 
ous part at the taking of Louisbourg in '45, 
and was the first governor after the separation 
from New- Hampshire. 

He was a native of England, and was bred to the law. He 
arrived at Boston about the year 1733, and practised in his 
profession till he received his commission of governor in 1741. 
He went to England in 1745, leaving the administration of 
affairs to Lieut. Gov. Speucer PhipS; and returned in 1753. 



SS CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

In \15i, he held a treaty with the eastern Indians, and ex- 
plored the Kennebeck, erecting *£ or 3 forts. In 1736, being* 
coinmander-in-chief of the British forces in North-Ainerica, he 
planned an expedition against Niag-ara, and proceeded him- 
self as far as Oswego. In the last of June, 1756, he was su' 
perseded in the connmand by Abercrombie. The same year, 1 
he was recalled to England. After having been governor oC 
one of the Bahama islands a number of years, he returned to 
Massachusetts, and died at his seat in Roxbury, March 24, 
1771. The abolition of the paper currency was owing, in a 
great degree, to his firmness and perseverance. His penetra- 
tion and unremitting industry gained him a high reputation, 
but he seems not to have deserved much commendation as a 
military officer. 

Q,. Who succeeded him m office ? 
A. Thomas Powiiall, appointed governor 
ill 1757. 

He was a friend to liberty, and opposed to the design which 
•\Vas early formed of taxing ihe American colonies, and his ad- 
ministration was successful and popular. But discontents were 
at length raised by some in the colony, and, being of a peace- 
able disposition, he solicited to be recalled. He was appoint- 
ed to the government of South-Carolina in 1760, and after- 
wards returned to England, where he was eniployed in public 
business, and was member of three successive parliaments. 
He finally retired from public life, and died at Bath in 1805, 
aged 83 years : retaining his faculties in full vigour in bis la- 
test days. 

Q. Who was successor to Gov. Pownall ? 
A. Francis Bernard, who arrived in Bos- 
ton in Aui^ust, 1760. 

The administration of affairs had been in the hands of Lieut.- 
Gov. Hutchinson, from the time of Gov. Pownall's departure. 

Gov. Bernard was a man of arbitrary principles, a staunch 
royalist, and his administration was shaf>ed accordingly. The 
people, at length, became so disaflected. that they petitioned 
for his removal ; and, in 1769, he was recalled to England. 

Q,. When did the conflagration, denomina- 
ted the Great Fire, liappen in Boston ? 

Abolition, s. the aet of abolishing, or de&troying. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 89 

A. In 1760, on the 20 of Maicli. 

It raged so violently, that, in about 4 hours, it destroyed 
neMy one-tenth part of the town, and 220 families were com- 
pelled to look to their neighbours for shelter. 

Q,. What was the state of affairs in Mas- 
sachusetts in 1761 ? 
A. Much disturbed. 

Lieut, Gov. Hutchinson, then Chief Justice of the state, ex- 
erted a disastrous influence in public affairs, aiding the royal 
authority in opposition to the interests of the people. Disputes 
arose between the general court and the governor, one of 
which was concerning writs of assistance, the object of which 
•writs was to assist the custom-house officers in their prescribed 
duties. 

Q,. Who made a very able and energetic 
plea against these writs in the superior court 
at that time ? 

A. James Otis, a lawyer of distinguished 
talents, and an ardent advocate of American 
liberty. 

Q. What was the remark of Mr. [aAerwards President] 
Adams, on this occasion ? 

A. After giving a summary of the plea, which he said was 

f)ronounced " in a style of oratory that he never heard equal- 
ed in this or any other country," he observed, " I do say, in 
the most solemn manner, that Mr. Otis's oration against the 
writs of assistance, breathed into this nation the breath of 
life." 

Q. What other remarkable events took 
place in 1761 ? 

A- On the 12 of March, two shocks of £^n 
earthquake occurred, which were felt in all the 
New-England colonies ; and on tbe 23 of Oc- 
tober, a most violent storm of wind and rain, 
which did great damage to the houses, stores, 
8* 



^0 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

wharves,&c. and to the shipping in Boston har- 
bour. Also the death of WiUiam Dummer, for- 
merly Lieut. Governor of the province, a man 
highly esteemed for his piety and beneficence. 

He left a considerable part of his estate for pious and chari* 
table uses, and laid the foundation of Dummer Academy in 
Newbury, 

Q. How many newspapers were regularly 
published in Boston in 1762 ? 

A. Four; viz. the News-Letter, the Even- 
ing Post, the Gazette, and the Advertiser or 
Post Boy. 

Q.. When was the treaty of peace between 
England and France ratified at Paris ? 

A. In 1763. 

't'hus a close was pot to the war which had so long distress-* 
ed the colonies, and which is to this day spoken of in New- 
England, as •' the old French war." 

Q. What appears to have been the favour- 
ite object of the British ministry, for many 
years previous to 1764 ? 

A. The taxation of the American colonies, 
without their being represented in parliament. 
Their right so to do was debated in tlie house 
of commons in March, 1764, and the question 
decided in the affirmative. 

Soon after, a resolution was voted, purporting that " it was 
proper to charge certain stamp duties in the colonies and plan-< 
tations ;" and on the 5 of April ensuing, parliament passed an 
act granting certain duties in the colonies. Intelligence of 
these proceedings was received in Massachusetts with that 
spirit of independence, which characterized the people. They 
immediately sent instructions to the provincial agent in Eng« 
land, in which they assert their privileges as British subjectS| 
and deny the right of parliament to tax them without their con* 



I 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. SI 

Sent. Spirited instructions were also given by the people of 
Boston to their representatives. 

Q.. What addition was made to the Col- 
lege buildings in 1764 ? 

A. An edifice, which, in honour of the 
HoUis family in England, was named HoUis- 
Hall. 

But, soon after its completion, Harvard Hall, containing the 
library of the college, above 5000 volumes, and a valuable 
philosophical apparatus, was consumed by fire. The general 
court was at this lime sitting in Cambridge, on account of the 
small-pox being in Boston. 

Q. When was the famous Stamp Act pass- 
ed in parliament ? 

A. In 1765, it having been virtually in- 
cluded in their resolution the preceding year. 

Q. Wliat member of parhament strongly 
opposed the passage of the bill ? 

A. Col. Barre, whose name deserves to be 
had in grateful remembrance by every Ameri- 
can. 

Q. How did this act affect the colonies ? 

A. It excited through the whole country a 
most serious alarm. 

It was viewed as a violation of the British constitution, and 
destructive of the first principles of liberty ; and combinations 
%vere every where formed against its execution. In Boston, 
much tumult and riot occurred, and the officers, concerned in 
executing the act, were particularly obnoxious to the rioters, 
■who destroyed their property, and committed many deeds of 
violence. The house of Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson, one of the 
best in the province, was left completely in ruins, nothing re- 
maining but the bare walls and floors. The plate, family pic* 
».ures, most of the furniture and wearing apparel, with about 
<£900 sterling in money, and the manuscripts and books which 

Virtually^ adv^ in effect 



^2 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

Mr. Hutchinson had been 30 3'ears in collecting', besides many 
public papers, were either carried off or destroyed, and him- 
self was obliged to escape by secret passages to save his life. 
To the honour, however, of the town, they voted unanimously 
to use all means for preventing such disorders for the future, 
thereby expressing their disapprobation of what had been 
done. 

Q. What important measure was proposed 
in the Massachusetts legislature in 1765 ? 

A. The assembhng of a general congress, 
which was accordingly adopted by the several 
states, and their first meeting holden at New- 
York ill October, same year. Timothy Rug- 
gles of Massachusetts was chosen president. 

Q. What work, contributing essentially to 
promote the cause of liberty and independence, 
was published this year in Massachusetts ? 

A. A Dissertation on the Canon and Feu- 
dal Law, containing very just sentiments on 
the rights of man, by John Adams. 

Q. How many houses were in Boston at 
this time ? 

A. 1676, and 2069 families. 

Q, What effect did the resistance of the 
colonies to the stamp act produce in England ? 

A, Such as to procure, by the assistance of 
that friend of America, the great Mr, Pitt, the 
repeal of that odious measure in March, 1766. 

Q. How^ was the news received in America ? 

A. W^ith the usual demonstrations of joy, 
ringing of bells, fire- works, and festivals. 

Q. What act of parliament in 1767 gave 
great offence to the colonies 1 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 93 

A. The act imposing duties on paper, glassy, 
painters' colours, and teas, imported into the 
colonies. 

Also acts providing' quarters for soldiers, and establishing a 
custom house in America. To these acts, none of the States 
were more decided iu their opposilitiou, than that of Massa- 
chusetts. 

Q. Does it appear, from facts in the histo- 
ry of Massachusetts, that the general conduct 
of the government towards the Indians was 
justifiable ? 

A. It does. 

In an address to the governor in 1767, on an occasion when 
the subject of the Indian trade, &c. was brought before the as- 
sembly, they remark, " that greater care was taken of the In- 
dians, by our pious ancestors, during the old charter, and by 
this government under the new, even to this day, than was 
ever required of us by the British government. Nothing hath 
been omitted by the province, since 1633 lo this day, which 
justice or humanity required, for their interest, within this ju- 
risdiction." 

Q. What important vote was passed in the 
general coiut of Massachusetts in 1768 ? 

A. To petition the king for redress of grie- 
vances. 

And, to secure the co-operation of the other colonies, the 
court drew up a circular letter and addressed it to the repre- 
sentatives and Z>Mr^esses of the people throughout the continent. 

Q. What agreement was entered into by the 
merchants and traders of Boston at this time ? 
A. An agreement of non-importation. 

By this they were not to import, nor purchase any kind of 
goods or merchandize, imported from Great-Britain from Jan. 
1769 to Jan. 1770, excepting a few enumerated articles ; nor 
to import or purchase of any who shall import from any other 

Burgess, s. a citizen, a freeman of a city, a represesentative of a 
town corporate. 



94 



CONVERSATIONS ON THE 



colony, any tea, paper, g[lass, or oiher goods commonly im- 
ported from Great- Britain, 

Gi, What otlier occurrences in 1768 indi- 
cated the approaching vevokition ? 

A. Disorders ensuing' the seizure of a wine 
vessel by the custom-house officers ; a conven- 
tion in Boston ; and the quartering of British 
troops in that place, the object of which was 
to protect the revenue officers in the collection 
of the duties. 

Q,. Why did the convention meet in Boston ? 

A. To deliberate on constitutional meas- 
ures for a removal of their difficulties ; the 
general court having been dissolved in tlie pre- 
ceding year by Gov. Bernard, 

The day before the convention rose, advice was received 
that a man of war and transports from Halifax, wiih ahout 
900 troops, under cover of the cannon of the ships, landed 
without molestation, and to the number of 700 men, marched 
with muskets charg'ed, bayonets fixed, martial music and the 
usual military parade, to the common. In the eveniniS^, the 
selectmen were required to quarter the two regiments in the 
town, but they positively refused. A temporary shelter, how- 
ever in Faneuil Hall was allowed to one regiment, and the 
next day the State House, by order of the governor, was 
opened for their reception, and two fiflH pieces with the main 
guard were stationed in its front. The lower floor of the 
State House, which had been used by gentlemen and the 
merchants as an exchange, the representatives' chamber, the 
court house, Faneuil hall, — places intimately associated with 
ideas of justice and freedom, as well as convenience and 
utility, were now filled with regular soldiers. Guards were 
placed at the doors of the Slate House — the common was 
covered with tents — soldiers were constantly marching and 
countermarching to relieve the guards, and the centinels chal- 
lenging the inhabitants as they passed. The Sabhaih was 
profaned, and the devotion of the sanctuary was disturbed, 
by the sound of drums and other martial music. In, Novem- 

Quarter, v. to station or lodge soldiers. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 95 

ber, several large transports arrived with more troops. Bui 
the colonists, tliough disgusted and injured, were not overawed. 

Q. When was the first newspaper pub- 
lished in Salem ? 

A. In 1768 ; the Essex Gazette. 



CONVERSATION XVII. 

Ministerial measures approved by Parliament. — Act of tbe General 
Court. — Opposition of Gov. Bernard. — He is recalled. — Massacre 
in Boston.— Disputes between tbe Legislature and Lieut. Gov. 
Ilutcliinson.— Repeal of Duties.— Bell Foundry at Stoughton.— 
Storm and Tide. — Gov. Hutchinson. — Committee of Correspond- 
ence. Tea destroyed. — Boston Port-bill. — Gov. Gage. — General 
Congress proposed. 

Q.. Were the rigorous measures of the Brit- 
ish ministry towards the colonies approved by 
parhament ? 

A. They were. 

In trie year 1769, resolves were passed by that body, cen- 
suring the whole course of proceedings in Massachusetts, and 
declaring thai the election of deputies, and the meeting of the 
convention, were daring insults to his majesty's authority, and 
audacious usmpalions of the powers of government. In an 
address to the king, they recommended that the names of 
offending persons in Massachusetts should be transmitted to 
him, and their offence:; heard and determined in England. 
This article gave great offence to the colonists. 

Gt. VVliat was stated to the governor by 
the general court at their session in 1769 ? 

A. Their expectation that he would " give 
effectual orders for the removal of the troops 
from the town and harbour, during the session 
of the assembly." 

Audacious^ a. bold, impudent. 

Usurpation s. forcible, unjust, unlawful leizure. 



96 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

The governor answered that he had no power over his Ma- 
jesty's ships in the port, or the troops in the town. But the 
house persisting in its complaints, and firmly declining- to do 
business, while surrounded by an armed force, the governor 
adjourned it to Cambridge. 

Q.. What act of the governor denoted his 
contmued attachment to his royal master ? 

A. On the 6 of July, he sent a message to 
the comtj desiring funds to be provided for 
discharging the expenditures incurred by Cjuar- 
tering his majesty's troops, and requiring pro- 
vision for the fuither quartering of them at 
Boston and Castle Island. 

Q,. Did the assembly comply with his de 
mands ? 

A. They did not. 

So far from it, they passed resolves, among others, to this 
effect : — that the establishment of a standing army in this col- 
ony in a time of peace, is an invasion of natural rights. That 
sending an armed force into this colony under pretence of as- 
sisting the civil authority, is highly dangerous to the people, 
unprecedented and miconstitutional. And on the 12 of July, 
in reply to the governor's question, whether they would or 
would not provide for the troops, the house replied :— ''As we 
cannot, consistently with our own honour or interest, much 
less with our duty to our constituents 5 so we never shall make 
any provision of funds for the purposes stated in your several 
messages." On receiving this reply, the go\ernor prorogued 
the court to the 10 of January, to meet at Boston. But he 
was recalled in August, and the management of public affairs 
left with Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson, 

Q,. When did the massacre, by the British 
soldiers, take place in Boston ? 
A. On the 5 of March, 1770. 

Unprecedented, a. not justifiable by any example. 
Unconstitutional, a. not according to the constitution. 
Prorogue, a. to put off. 



I 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 97 

The iiihahitants having conlined to feel it an indig-nily to 
have soldiers quartered among them, mutual insults and inju- 
ries prepared the way for more serious difficulties. On the 
5 of JNIarch, tlie soldiers while under arms, being pressed upon 
and insulted by [he popu/ace, dared to fire ; one of them, who 
had received a blow, fired at the aggressor, and a single dis- 
charge from six others succeeded. Three of the inhabitants 
were killed, and five dangerously wounded. The town was 
instantly thrown into commolion. The drums beat to arms, 
and thousands of the inhabitants assembled in the adjacent 
streets. The next morning, the Lieut. Governor summoned a 
council, by whom a messege was received from the town 
which had convened in full assembly, declaring their unani- 
mous opinion, *' that nothing could rationally be expected to 
restore the peace of the town, and prevent blood and carnage, 
but the removal of the troops."' This was agreed to, and 
the tumult subsided. One of the wounded men died, and the 
four killed were buried in one vault with the highest marks of 
respect. Such an immense concourse attended the funeral, 
that thej'^ were obliged to go in ranks, six a-breast, and a long 
train of carriages closed the procession, 

Q,. What was done Avilh Capt. Preston, 
the commander of the soldieis ? 

A. He was committed with them to jail, 
and all were afterward tried. The captain 
and six of the men were acquitted, and the other 
two were brought in guilty of manslaughter. 

The result of the trial reflected great honour on John Adams 
and Josiah Quincy, who were the counsel for the prisoners, 
and also on the integrity of the jury. 

Q. What was the next official act of Lieut. 
Gov. Hutchinson ? 

A. To postpone the assembly from Janua- 
ry (to which it had been prorogued by Gov. 
Bernard) to the middle of March, then to meet 
at Cambridge. 

Populace, s. the common people, the multitude. 

Unanimous, rt.bcinp of one mind, agreeing in design or opinion. 

Concourse, s. a multitude 



98 CONVERSATIONS ON TIIK 

In his messajjc to lliem at tlio latter place, he took no noi'cc 
of the. Irag-ical ovpnl at Hoslon, hut in a few Hays after, lie 
sent a special messafje to the house, intbnnin?; them of a ri- 
fling atlair at Gloucester, in which a petty officer of the cus- 
toms was said to have been abuseil, and called on them to 
afford assistance in bring^ing the agents to justice. The 
reply of the assembly iridicated their deep sense of injury 
from their own executive government, as well as from the 
parent slate. In their reply, they also express the hope that 
ihe military power would soon be removed from the province, 
until which time they had nothing to expect but that tyranny 
and confusion would prevail. 

Q,. What controversy occupied a great 
part of the session ? 

A. A dispiu.o concern itig the removal of 
the general court. 

The Lieut. Governor asserting his authorit}' from the minis- 
try, peremptorily refused to yield to their wishes to assemble at 
their usual place in Boston, and they w»Te obliged to continue 
at Cambridge. 

d. What important bill passed in parlia- 
ment in 1770 ? 

A. The act repealing all duties on goods 
exported to the colonies, except the duty of 
three pence per pound on tea. 

Q,. Was this act satisfactory to the colonies ? 

A. It was not. 

As it was not merely the amount of the duties, but the prin- 
ciple of taxation to which the colonists were opposed, the duty 
on tea gave them great disquietude j and an association was 
immediately formed not to drink any tea until the act imposing 
the duty, should be repealed. 

Q,. Wliat manufactory was erected this 
year in Massachusetts 7 

A. A bell foundery at Stoughton. 



Executive, a. active, not legislative. 



t 



IlISTORV OF MASSACHUSETTS. 99 

Q. Wljcit other reiaarkable. event took 
place in 1770 7 

A. A i^rcat storm in October, which swell- 
ed the ti(J{; at Bosion higher than had been 
known for nearly 50 years. 

It filled the stores and cellars, and did muoii damag-ej 50 or 
GO sail of vessels were cast ashore at Plymouth and elsewhere, 
and many lives were lost. 

Q. When was Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson 
appointed to the oflice of governor ? 

A. In 1771. 

Q,. What circumstance in his conduct was 
considered by the people as a dangerous inno- 
vation ? 

A. The refusal of his salary from the prov- 
ince, and receiving it out of the revenue chest, 
thus being made independent of the peojjle. 

At the session of the legislature in 1772, they passed resolu- 
tions expressing: their dissatisfaction with this new regulation of 
the British government, by which the governor derived his 
support from the crown, calling it an ''infraction of their 
charter." The governor replied to these resolutions in a 
laboured message, in which he attempted to invalidate the 
reasoning they contained, and assumed that the charter was a 
mere grant from the king, which he had a right at any time to 
alter or vacate, even without a charge of violation or non-per- 
formnnce on their part. 

Gt. VViiat course was pursued by the in- 
habitants of Boston at this crisis ? 

A. They first requested the governor to 
allow the general court to meet them, and, be- 
ing denied, tliey held a town meeting in No- 

Innovation,s. to change by the introductiun of novelty. 
Infraction^ s. breach, violaiion. 

Invalidate, v. to weaken, to deprive of force. [height. 

Crisis^ i. the point of time ut which any affair comes to the 



100 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

vember, at which was chosen a large commit- 
tee of respectable citizens. 

This commitiee drew up a report, which was printed, and 
600 copies of it with an impressive letter were circulated 
through the towns and districts of the province. 

Q,. What was this committee called ? 

A. The Committee of Correspondence ; 
and it was the basis of the subsequent union 
of the colonies. 

Q,. When was tlie tea destroyed at Boston I 

A. In 1773. 

Three ships laden with this article arrived in the harbour, 
and the inhabitants tried every measure to send them back, 
but without effect. The destruction of the tea was therefore 
the only alternative. Accordingly a number of armed men, 
disguised like Indians, on the evening of the 16 of December, 
boarded the ships, and threw their whole cargoes, consisting' 
of 240 chests and 100 half chests of tea into the dock, without 
tumult, and without doing any damage to the vessels or any 
other effects. 

Q,. What transpired this year to increase 
the disaffection of the people towards Gover- 
nor Hutchinson ? 

A. The discovery of certain letters written 
by him to persons in England, by which it ap- 
peared that he was altogether opposed to the in- 
terests of the colonists. The assembly there- 
upon voted to petition the king for a removal 
of Gov. Hutchinson and Lieut. Gov. Oliver 
forever from the government of the province. 

Q,. What other remarkable events happen- 
ed in 1773 ? 

A. A violent tornado was experienced in 
August, at Salisbury, Mass. and its vicinity, 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 101 

which lasted about 3 minutes, and destroyed 
about 8 buildings in Sahsbury and Amesbury. 

CI. How did the intelligence of proceedings 
in Boston alFect the British parliament ? 

A. It so enraged them, that they shut up 
the port of Boston, by passing an act called 
the Boston Port Bill. 

By this act the port of Boston was legally precluded from 
llie privilege of lamJing- and discharging, or lading and ship- 
ping goods, wares, and merchandize. 'J'his act was followed 
by two others, equally unjust and oppressive. These three 
acts were considered, in America, as forming a complete sys- 
tem of tyranny. 

Q.. Who Avas appointed successor to Gov. 
Hutchinson, after the renioval of the latter 
from office ? 

A. Gen. Gage, the commander-in-chief of 
the royal forces in North America. He arriv- 
ed in Boston, May 13, 1774. 

Q,. When did the port bill go into operation ? 

A. On the 1 of June, 1774, which, in 
many of the principal towns in the colonies, 
was observed as a day of mourning. 

Q,. Did it distress the inhabitants of Boston ? 

A. It did exceedingly. 

But, animated by the spirit of freedom, they endured their 
privations with inflexible fortitude, and their sufferings were 
soon mitigated by the sympathy, and relieved by the charity of 
the other colonists. Contributions were every where raised 
for their relief, corporate bodies, town meeiings, and provin- 
cial conventions sent them letters and addresses, applauding 
their conduct, and exhorting them to perseverance. 

Preclude. V. to shut out, or binder. 
Privul'ums, s. removal or destruction of any thing. 
Mitigate, v. to soften, to alleviate. 
9* 



102 CONVERSATIONS ON Ti^E! 

Q,. What important resolve was passed in 
the general court in June, 1774 ? 

A, A resolve proposing a general congress 
or meeting of committees from the several col- 
onies. 

Five delegates were accordingly chosen, and the speaker 
was directed to send information of this resolve to the other 
colonies, by whom it was gradually adopted. 



CONVERSATION XVIII. 

First continental congress. — Affairs in Massachusetts. — Streets first 
lighted in Boston. — Apprehension of hostilities — Preparations for 
defence. — Leslie's expedition — Lexington fight. — First provincial 
army — Authority of Gov. Gage renounced. — Troops arrive from 
England — Battle of Bunker-HlU.—Death of Dr. Warren.— Wash- 
ington appointed chief general. — He arrives at Cambridge. — Dis- 
posal of British and American armies. — Armed vessels. — Depar- 
ture of Gov. Gage. — Death of Josiah Quincy. 

Q,. When was assembled the first conti- 
nental congress ? 

A. On the 5 of September, 1774, at Phi- 
ladelphia. 

Q,. Did the aspect of affairs in Massachu- 
setts still continue inauspicious ? 

A. It did. Soon after Gov. Gage's arrival, 
two regiments of foot, with a small detach- 
ment of artillery and some cannon, were land- 
ed at Boston and encamped on the common. 
These were gradually reinforced by others 
from Ireland, New- York, Halifax, and Quebec. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 103 

The jealousy of the inhabitants was thereby excited, and 
increased by the stationing of a British guard on Boston Neck, 
and by the perseverance of the British in repairing and man- 
ning the fortifications at the entrance of the town. On the 1 
of September, Gov. Gage sent two companies and took posses- 
sion of the powder in the arsenal at Charlestown, and withheld 
from the proprietors what was lodged in Boston, 

At a meeting of delegates from the several towns in the 
county of Suffolk, it was resolved " that no obedience is due 
from the province to either or an}^ part of the late acts of par- 
liament 5 but that they should be rejected as the attempts of a 
wicked administration to enslave America." These resolves, 
the boldest that had been adopted, being forwarded to the con- 
tinental congress, were sanctioned by that august body. 

Qi, What important change took place re- 
specting the legislature of Massachusetts in 
1774 ? 

A. They assumed tlie name and char- 
acter of a provincial congress. 

Having been prevented by the governor from assembling as 
a legislature, they resolved themselves into a provincial con- 
gress, and adjourned to Concord. Mr. John Hancock was 
chosen president, and measures were adopted for the defence 
of the province. 

d. When were lamps first used in the 
streets of Boston '!■ 
A. In 1774. 

The following publications issued from the press in Boston 
the same year : — Observations on the Boston Port Bill, &c. by 
Josiah Quincy ; A summary View of the rights of British 
America ; and the Royal American Magazine, the last peri- 
odical published there before the revolution. 

Q.. What information was communicated 
to the people, by the Massachusetts provincial 
cona^ress in 1775 ? 



Arsenal, s. a repository of things requisite to war. 
August, a. great, grand. 



104 CONVERSATIONS ON TITE 

A. That there were signs of approachmg 
war. 

That, from the large reinforcement of troops expected io the 
colony, from the tenor of intelligence from England and 
from the general appearance of things, they had reason to 
apprehend that the destruction of the colony was intended j 
and they urged the immediate necessity of military prepara- 
tions, discipline, &c. They also passed resolutions for procur- 
ing and making fire-arms and bayonets. Those preparations 
were accordingly made, and provisions and military stores 
were collected and stored at different places. 

Gl. Who was sent by Gov. Gage to seize 
the mihtary stores deposited at Salem ? 

A. Colonel Leslie, with a detachment of 
soldiers. 

Having landed at Marhlehead, they proceeded to Salem, 
and, not finding the stores, they passed on to the drawbridge 
leading to Danvers, where a large number of people were 
assembled, and on the opposite side of which, Col. Pickering 
had mustered 30 or 40 men, and drawn up the bridge. Leslie 
ordered them to let it down, but they peremptorily refused. 
He then determined to ferry over a few men in a gondola } 
but the people perceiving iheir design, sprang into the gondola, 
and scuttled it with their axes. There was danger of in- 
stant hostility, but it was prevented by the prudent interposi- 
tion of Mr. Barnard, mini:ster of Salem. Leslie at length 
pledged his honour, that if they would lei the bridge dow'n, he 
would march but a few rods over it, and return without doing 
any thing further. The line was marked, the bridge was let 
down, Leslie marched to the bounds prescribed, returned, and 
embarked for Boston. 

Q. Wiien did hostilities actually commence? 
A. On the 19 of April, 1775, at Lexing- 
ton. 

The circumstances were as follows : — Gen. Gage, having 
purposed to destroy a quantity of military stores, which had 
been deposited at Concord, detached Lieut. Col. Smith and 
Major Pitcairn with 800 grenadiers and light infantry, who,at 



Scuttle, V. to sink by cutting' open the bottom. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 105 

1 1 o'clock ill the evening of the 18, embarked in boats at the 
bottom of Boston Common, crossed Charles river, and landing 
at Phipps' farm in Cambridg-e, commenced a silent and expe- 
ditious march for Concord. Dr. Warren, having received no- 
tice of their design, sent messengers to Lexington, the day 
previous, who gave an alarm, which was rapidly spread by 
church bells, signal guns, and vollies. On the arrival of the 
British at Lexington, at 5 in the morning, almost 70 men, be- 
longing to the minute company in that town, were found on 
the parade, under arms. Major Pilcairn, galloping up to them, 
cried out, " Disperse, disperse, you rebels ; throw down your 
arms and disperse !" The sturdy yeomanry not instantly 
obeying, he advanced nearer, fired his pistol, flourished his 
sword, and ordered his soldiers to fire. A discharge of arms 
from the British troops with a huzza, immediately followed ; 
several of ihe provincials fell, and the rest dispersed. The 
firing continued, and the fugitives stopped and returned the 
fire. Eight Americans were killed, and several wounded. 

Q,. Did the British troops succeed in their 
attempt to destroy the niihtary stores at Con- 
cord ? 

A. They did. 

The inhabitants drew up in order for defence, but observing 
the superior number of the British, retired to a little distance 
to wait for reinforcements. The troops then proceeded to the 
town, and destroyed the stores. The militia being reinforced, 
approcached, and were fired upon by the regulars ; a skirmish 
ensued, and the regulars were lorced to retreat, with some loss. 

Q,. AVeve they pursued as the}^ retreated 
towards Boston ? 

A. They were. All the people in the ad- 
jacent country were by this time in arms, and 
attacked the retreating troops m every direc- 
tion. 



Volley, s. the simultaneous dischfiriSfe of several muskets. 
Yeomanry, «. collective body of farmers. 

Provincials, s. a term applied to the American soldiers to dis- 
tinguish them from the British, wlio were called Regulars. 
Fugitive, s. a runaway. 



106 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

Some fired from behind stone walls, and other coverts, 
others pressed on their rear and harassed them until they 
reached Lexington. Here they were joined by Lord Percy, 
with a detachment of 900 men, and 2 pieces of cannon. Hav- 
ing halted an hour or two, they recommenced their march, 
but tiie attack of the provincials was renewed at the 
same time, and a galling fire kept up by them. The close 
firing from behind stone walls by good marksmen, put the 
regulars in no small confusion, yet they kept up a brisk fire 
upon the militia and minute men. A little after sunset they 
reached Bunker-Hill, where, exhausted with fatigue, they re- 
mained during the night under the protection of a man of 
war, and next morning returned to Boston. 

Q,. What A\ as tlie number of killed and 
wounded in this excursion 1 

A. Seventy-three of the regulars were kill- 
ed, 184 wounded, and 26 made prisoners ; 
total 283. Of the provincials, 50 were killed, 
34 wounded, and 4 missing ; total 88. 

Q,. What did the provincial congress do 
immediately after the Lexington battle ? 

A. Being in session at the time, they sent 
an account of the battle to England, with dep- 
ositions to prove that the British troops were 
the aggressors. 

They also sent an address to the people of England pro- 
fessing their loyalty to the king, but expressing their determi- 
nation •' not lamely to sul>mil to the tyranny of his evil minis- 
try." They also say, " Appealing to heaven for the justice 
of our cause, we determine to die or be free." 

Q. Whcji and where was the first provin- 
cial army assembled ? 

A. Soon after the battle of Lexington, near 
Boston ; consisting of 20,000 men, who form- 
ed an encampment from Roxbury to the river 
Mystic. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 107 

This army was increased by a larg-e body of troops from 
Connecticut, under the command of the celebrated Col. Put- 
man ; and by these joint forces, the king's troops were closely 
blocked up in Boston. 

Q. When did the provincial congress re- 
nounce the authority of Gov. Gage ? 

A. In May ensuing Lexington fight ; and 
his jurisdiction from this time was confined 
within the limits of Boston. 

Q,. What distinguished generals arrived 
at Boston in the same month from England ? 

A. HowCj Burgoyne, and Clinton, with a 
considerable reinforcement. 

Q,. What proclamation was issued by 
General Gage at that time ? 

A. Of pardon, in the king's name, to all 
persons " who shall forthwith lay down tlieir 
arms," and become peaceable subjects, Samuel 
Adams and John Hancock excepted. 

Q.. W^hen was the famous battle of 
Bunker-Hill.^ 

A. . June 17, 177.5. 

The movements of the British army having excited an ap- 
prehension that General Gage intended to penetrate into the 
country, it was recommended by the provincial congress, that 
measures should be taken for the defence of Dorchester 
neck, and to occupy Bunker-Hill. On the 16 of June, a de- 
tachment of 1000 American troops took possession of I*>reed's 
(since called Bunker) Hill, and laboured during the night 
with such diligence, that by the dawn of day they had thrown 
up a redoubt about 8 rods square. The British at daylight 
began a heavy tiring from their ships, and from their fortifica- 
tions at Copps' Hill, and an incessant shower of shot and 
bombs was poured upon the American works, yet but one man 

Redoubt, s. a ridge or n)ound of eartb, behind or within 
which soldiers are protected from musket or cannon shot. 



108 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

was killed. About noon, 3,000 troops, the flower of the 
British army, were sent to dislodge them from their post. 
The roofs and steeples of Boston were crowded with British 
troops and citizens, to witness the doubtful conflict. The 
American army and the country people thronged the sur- 
rounding hills. Charlestown was now set on Are by order of 
the British commander, and 400 houses, including ihe meeting- 
house with its towering steeple, were soon in a blaze. The 
slow approach of the British gave time for General Putnam 
to address his men, whom he charged to be cool, and reserve 
their fire, "until they could see the whiles of their eyes." 
The order was obeyed, and on the near approach of their 
enemies, they began such a furious discharge of small arms, 
that the royal troops retreated with precipitation. A second 
time they were driven back with great confusion. They 
then redoubled their efforts, and General Clinton arriving at 
this critical moment, united his exertions with those of the 
other oflicers, and they succeeded in renewing the attack. 
The powder of the Americans beginning to fail, they were at 
length compelled to abandon their post. Fifteen hundred 
Americans were engaged in this action, and their loss amount- 
ed to 145 killed and missing, and 305 wounded. The royal 
army lost 1054, of whom 226 were killed, including 19 offi- 
cers 5 and 828 wounded, including 70 officers. 

Col. Prescotl of Massachusetts commanded the Americans 
within the redoubt. 

Q. What distinguished officer, on the A- 
merican side, was among the slain ? 

A. The accomphshed Dr. Joseph Warren, 
a general in the army, who foiigbit that day as 
a volunteer. A man whose memory will be 
endeared to his countrymen, and to the worthy 
in every part and age of the world, so long as 
virtue and valour shall be esteemed among 
mankind. 

d. Who was appointed by the continental 
congress, commander-in-chief of the American 
army ? 

A. George Washington, a native of 
Virginia, whose subsequent illustrious charac- 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 109 

ter and services gained for liim the appellation 
of Father of his country. 

Q, When did he arrive at Cambridge to 
take the command of the forces ? 

A. On the 2 of July, 1775, and was joy- 
fully received. 

d. What was the state of the government 
in Massachusetts at this time ? 

A. Pursuant to the advice of the continent- 
al congress, the people had chosen represen- 
tatives, who elected a council, and the two 
branches proceeded to legislation. 

Q. How were the British and American ar- 
mies disposed after the arrival of Washing- 
ton ? 

A. The main body of the British was 
entrenclied on Bunker-Hill ; the other division 
occupied Boston Neck. The American army 
lay on both sides of Charles river. 

Its right occupied the hig-h ground about Roxbury, whence 
it extended towards Dorchester, and its left was covered by 
Mystic river, a space of 12 miles. Winter, Prospect, Plough- 
ed and Cobble hills, were each occupied by the American 
troops. 

Q.. When were the first armed vessels fitted 
out by Massachusetts ? 

A. In 1775, and in the same year a law 
was passed to encourage a naval armament. 

Q.. Did the armed vessels succeed in ma- 
king 'iny captures ? 

A. They did, 
10 



110 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

Capt. Manly of Marblehead, who was early out, took an 
ordnance brig, containing' a large mortar, several pieces of 
cannon, a large quantity of small arms and ammunition 3 with 
all kinds of tools, utensils, and machines necessary for camps 
and artillery ; and also 3 ships laden with various stores for 
the British army. 

Q.. What Other notable events occiiiTed 
this year ? 

A. The departure of Gov. Gage for Eng- 
land, and the death of Josiah Qumcy. 

Mr. Quincy was an estimable man and inflexible patriot, 
and was educated at Harvard college, where he was gradua- 
ted in 1763. He was son of Josiah Quincy, merchant of 
Boston, who having acquired a handsome fortune, retired to 
the family seat at Braintree. Josiah Quincy, jr., was sent to 
England to promote the interests of America in 1774 j but his 
health failed, and on his return homeward, he died on the 20 
of April, 1775, within sight of that beloved country which he 
was not permitted to reach. " He expired, not as afterwards 
did his friend and copatriot, Warren, on a field ever memora- 
ble and ever glorious, — but in solitude, amidst suffering, with- 
out associate, without witness 3 yet breathing forth a dying 
wish for his country, desiring to live only to perform for her a 
last and signal service." Memoirs of him have been pub- 
lished. 

Q.. What memorable observation was made, 
early in 1775, by Lord Chatliani, in the Brit- 
ish parliament 1 

A. After having enlarged upon the ruinous 
events, which Avere coming upon the nation in 
consequence of the present dispute, and the ar- 
bitrary measures of the ministry, and observ- 
ing tliat his majesty would be undone, if those 
measures were persisted in, he said, " His 
majesty may indeed Vv^ear his crown, biit, the 
American jewel out of it, it will not be worth 
the wearing. The very first drop of blood will 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. Ill 

malvc a wound, that years, perhaps ages, will 
not heal." 



CONVERSATION XIX. 

Declaration of Independence.— British Troops evacuate Boston. — 
Vote of Thanks to Gen. Washington.— National Fast.— Capture 
of Col. I'auin. — Capture of Col. Burgoyne. — Aid from France. — 
Surrender of Cornwallis. — Constitution of Massachusetts. — First 
Governor. — Dark Day. — Peace. — Definitive Treaty. — Character of 
James Otis. — Instrumental Music introduced into N. E. Churches. 
— Shays' Rebellion. — Mint. — Charles River Bridge. — Dispute Set- 
tled.— Events in '37.— Cannon.- Beacon-Hill Monument. 

Q,. What great event began a new era in 
American history ? 

A. The declaration of Independence, by the 
continental congress, on the 4 of July, 1776. 

It was set forth in a written manifesto drawn up by Thomas 
Jefferson, who was at the head of the committee, which had 
been appointed for that purpose.* 

Q. What were the concluding words of this 
important state paper ? 

A. " And for the support of this declara- 
tion, with a firm reliance on the protection of 
Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to 

Era, s. time from a particular date, or epoch. 
Manifesto, s. public protestation, declaration in form. 

* This committee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John 
Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R- 
Livinsrston. 



112 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

each other, our hves, our fortunes, and our sa- 
cred honour." 

Q,. When and by whom were the British 
compelled to evacuate Boston ? 

A. In the spring of 1776, by the provin- 
cials, under the command of Gen. Washing- 
ton. 

The Americans having succeeded in diverting the attention 
of the British garrison, gained possession of Dorchester heights 
in the evening of the 4 of March, 1776, and 120G men im- 
mediately commenced erecting breast-works to shield them 
from the enemy. The ground was extremely hard, but the 
night was mild, and, by labouring with great diligence, at 
break of day they presented lines of defence which astonished 
the British garrison, to whom nothing remained but to aban- 
don the town, or dislodge the provincials. The latter was 
attempted, but a tremendous storm at night hindered the exe- 
cution of their design, and it was agreed in a council of war 
next morning, to evacuate the town as soon as possible. The 
Americans proceeded in strengthening and extending their 
works, and on the morning of the 17 of March, it was judged 
by the British that delay was no longer safe, and by 10 o'clock, 
A. M. the king's troops, with those Americans, (then called 
Tories,) who were attached to the royal cause, were all under 
sail. General Washington then marched triumphantly into 
Boston, where he was received as a deliverer. He soon after 
fixed his head quarters at New-York, where the greater part 
of the troops rendezvoused. A iew were left in Massachu- 
setts. 

Gt. What resolve was passed in congress 
on the 25 of the same month ? 

A. That thanks be presented to General 
Washington, and the officers and soldiers un- 
der his command, for their wise and spirited 
conduct in the siege and acquisition of Boston : 
and that a gold medal be struck in commem- 



Rcndtz-juus, V. to meet at a place appohited. 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. 113 

oration of tlie event, and presented to his ex- 
cellency. 

Q. What was recoannended by congress 
at this time l 

A. A national fast : 

" Publicly to acknowledg-e the overruling providence of 
God, to confess and deplore our oftences against him, and 
supplicate his interposition for averting the threatened danger, 
and prospering our strenuous efforts in the cause of freedom, 
virtue, and prosperity." The 17 of May was observed 
accordingly. 

Q,. What event, in the language of Presi- 
dent JelFerson, was the " first hnk in the chain 
of successes that issued in the surrender of 
Saratoga," and the capture of Burgoyne ? 

A. The capture of Colonel Baum, near 
Bennington, Vermont, on -the 16 of August, 
1777, by General .lohn Staik, with 33 officers 
and more than 700 privates taken, besides 226 
left dead on the field. 

Q.. Wlien was the captuie of Burgoy^ie ? 

A. On the 17 of October, when the royal 
cirmy under this general, consisting of more 
than 9000, surrendered themselves prisoners 
of war. 

Q.. What foreign aid did the United States 
receive in 1778 ? 

A. That of France, which formed an alli- 
ance with the United States, sent hither a 
minister i>lenipotentiary^ and received one 

Plenipotenlinry, s. inyesteil with full power. 

10' 



114 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

from this country, and contributed land and 
naval forces for their assistance. 

Q,. When was the constitution of Massa- 
chusetts framed and adopted 'I 

A. In 1780. 

Q,. Who was the first governor under the 
new constitution ? 

A. John Hancock, the inflexible patriot 
who had been proscribed by the Britisli gov- 
ernment. 

Q,. What day in the year 1780 has ever 
since been referred to as the Dark Day 7 

A. The 19 of May. 

The darkness commenced between the hours of 10 and 11, 
A. M., and continued until the middle of the next night. 
The wind was in the South-wf^st, and the darkness appeared 
to come in with clouds in that direction. It extended from 
Falmouth, (Maine,) and was greatest in Essex county, Mas- 
sachusetts, in the lower part of New-Hampshire and in Maine. 
''Candles were lighted up in the houses, birds sung their even- 
ing songs and disappeared 3 the cocks crowed as at break of 
day, and every thing wore the appearance and the gloom of 
night." 

Q,» When did Lord Cornwallis surrender 
his army ? 

A. On the 19 of October, 1781. 

Q,. What was the number of prisoners sur- 
rendered I 

A. About 7,000, including rank and file. 

Q,. How large was the allied army, to 
which that of Cornwallis surrendered ? 

Ak It has been estimated at 16,000 men, 
of whom 7,000 were French, 5,500 continen- 
tal troops, and 3,500 inilitin. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 11 5 

Q,. Was the surrender of this army con- 
sidered as deciding the contest between Great- 
Britain and America ? 

A. It was. 

Though several hostile movements continued to be made by 
Ihe remaining British forces for some monlhs,yet no additional 
army was sent to invade the country. 

Q,. What w^as tlie number of troops fur- 
nished by Massachusetts in the revolutionary 
war 7 

A. Eighty-three tliousand one hundred 
and eighty-two ; nearly one-third of the troops 
employed in the war. 

Q,. When was the joyful news of peace 
proclaimed in America / 

A. In 1783 ; being officially announced to 
the army on the 19 of April, precisely 8 years 
from the day of the first effusion of blood at 
Lexington* 

Q. When and wiiere w^as the definitive 
treaty of peace concluded, and by whom, on 
the part of America, was it signed ? 

A. On the 3 of September, 1783, at Paris, 
by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and 
John Jay. 

Q,. What distinguished patriot died in 
Massachusetts this year ? 

A. James Otis; ofwhom President Adams 
remarked, that he laid the foundation of the 
American revolution, " with an energy, and 
with those masterly abilitiesj which no other 



116 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

man possessed." He was highly distinguish- 
ed for genius, eloquence, and learning. 

No American, perhaps, had more extensive informalion. 
Besides his legal knowledge, he was a complete master of 
classical literature. He published Rudiments of Latin Pro- 
sody, with a dissertation on letters, and the power of harmo- 
ny in poetic and prosaic composition, 12mo., 1760; which has 
been considered a most clear and able treatise on the subject. 
Vindication of the conduct of the house of representatives, 
1762; rights of the British colonies asserted, 1764; consid- 
erations on behalf of the colonies, 1765. His powerful mind 
was laid in ruins in September, 1769, in consequence of 
wounds received in an assault from some officers belonging to 
the British party, with whom he had been engaged in dispute. 
He was finally killed at Andover, on the 25 of May 1783, by 
a stroke of lightning, at about the age of 60 years. 

Gi. When was instiumental music first in- 
troduced into Congregational churches in New- 
England ? 

A. In 1785, an organ being at that time 
set up in the First church in Boston. 

Q.. By what was the year 1786 rendered 
memorable ? 

A. An insurrection in Massachusetts, head- 
ed by Daniel Shays. 

Q,. What were the immediate causes of tlie 
insurgency? 

A. Heavy taxes, necessarily imposed at 
the time. 

Q. Was it quelled without capital punish- 
ment ? 



Insurrection, } .... . . 

, ' > .V. a seditious risiMS'. 

Insurgency, 3 

JnsHre^ents, s. peisoHS wiio rise in a soditloiis or rebellious 
manner . 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. 117 

A. It wasj though so great was the distur- 
bance, occasioned by the insurgents, that it was 
judged necessary to call out a body of 4000 
troops, by whom the insurgents were surprised 
and discomfited, and fled with great precipi- 
tation. 

One hundred and fifty were made prisoners, and the princi- 
pal officers sought refuge in the neighbouring- slates. They 
were finally pardoned on certain conditions. 

Gl. When was the second mint estabhshed 
in Massachusetts ? 

A. In 1786, for the coinage of gold, siker, 
and copper. Charlestown bridge was opened 
for passengers the same year. 

Q,. When was the dispute between New- 
York and Massachusetts respecting certain 
lands, brought to an amicable conclusion ? 

A. In 1787. 

Q,. What other events are worthy of notice 
in 1787 ? 

A. l^he publication of Adams's Defence of 
American Constitutions ; a fire in Boston, 
south part, which consumed 100 houses ; and 
the death of Thomas Gage, the last governor 
of Massachusetts w^ho was appointed by the 
crown, 

Q,. To whom belonged the four first can- 
non used inthe revolutionary war ? 

A. Two of them belonged to a number of 
citizens in Boston, and two to the government 
of Massachusetts. These constituted the 



4i 



118 CONVERSATrONS ON THE 

whole train of artilleiy, possessed by the colo- 
nies at the commencement of the war. 

In the year 1788, historical inscriptions were placed on them 
by order of congress. 

Q. What important political event distin- 
guished the year 178S in Massaciiusetts ? 

A. The adoption of the federal constitu- 
tion. 

The convention for this purpose in Massachusetts met i 
January, and after several weeks discussion adopted the con 
stitution at the beg^inning- of February, on which occasion the 
citizens of Boston formed a numerous procession, composed of 
mechanics, with their respective badges, who were joined by the 
farmers from the neighbourhood with appropriate implements 
of husbandry. To add to the novelty of the scene, a small 
ship with mounted cannon, manned by seamen, was drawn 
by horses in the procession, and lired salutes. 

The dates of the most important events of the revolutionary 
war were soon after inscribed on a monument erected on Bea- 
con-Hill. This was " a plain column of the Doric order, rais- 
ed on its proper pedestal, substantially built of brick and stone." 
The height was about 60 feet. Upon the erection of the new 
Stale-house, the monument was taken down, and its site is now 
occupied by buildings and a street. The following was the 
inscription on the south side : — " To commemorate that 
train of events which led to the American revolution, and final- 
ly secured liberty and independence to the United States, this 
column is erected by the voluntary contributions of the citizens 
of Boston." On the west and north sides of the column, the re- 
markable occurrences of the war were chronologically re- 
corded 5 and on the east side,— " Americans, while from this 
eminence, scenes of luxuriant fertility, of flourishing com- 
merce, and the abodes of social happiness meet your view, for- 
get not those, who by their exertions have secured to you 
these blessings." 



Inscription, s. somethin p written or engraved. 
Site^s. local position, situation. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 119 



BEACON-IIILL MONUMENT. 




120 



CONVERSATIONS ON THE 



CONVERSATION XX. 

Federal Government. — First President. — Washington visils New- 
England. — Encouragement of learning. — Influenza. — Biography 
of Franklin and Bovvdoin.— First American edition of the Bible. 
Biography of Gov. Hancock. — Fire in Boston. — National Thanks- 
giving. — First Method' Church in Boston.— Events of '97 — Mu- 
nicipal Court of Boston. — Vaccination. — Merino sheep. — Death and 
Character of Samuel Adams. — State Prison. — Stoughton Hall. — 
Great Solar Eclipse. 

Q,. When did the Federal Government go 
into full opei'ation 'i 

A. On the 30 of April, 1789, when George 
Washington was inaugnrated president, and 
John Adams vice-president of the United 
States. 

Q,. When did President Washington visit 
Massachusetts ? 

A. In October, same year, and was receiv- 
ed by the people with the most unequivocal 
tokens of respect and affection. 

Qi, What was particularly recommended 
by Governor Hancock in his message this 
year to the legislature ? 

A. The encouragement of learning, as ne- 
cessary to the support of a free government. 

Q,. What law was passed accordingly ? 

Inaugurate^ v. to invest with office, or to induct into offic*. 
Unequivocal, a, certain, undoubted. 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. 121 

A. A law requesting all towns with 200 
families to maintain a grammar school, agree- 
ably to former usage. 

All towns with this number and upwards, were required to 
employ as instructers, those who had been educated at some 
college, and were able to teach the Latin and Greek lan- 
guages. 

Q,. What disease prevailed extensively in 
America in 1789 ? 

A. The influenza. 

d. What distinguished men died in 1790 ? 

A. Benjamin Frankhn, and James Bow- 
doin, governor of Massachusetts. 

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Jan. 17, 1706. His 
advantages for school education were few. At the age of 12 
years, he was bound as an apprentice to his brother, who was 
a printer, and in this employment he made great proficiency. 
His talents were early developed, and he diligently employed 
his leisure hours in improving his mind by reading, thus lay- 
ing the foundation of his future eminence. About the year 
1724, he went to Philadelphia, and from thence to London, 
where he resided as a journeyman printer two years ; practi- 
sing such economy as to save the greater part of his wages. 
In 1727, he was established in business as a printer and con- 
ductor of a newspaper in Philadelphia, and was distinguished 
for his efforts in the cause of literature and science, and in the 
promotion of the general good. 

After having been eminently useful in a variety of public of- 
fices in the service of his country, both here and in Europe, he 
was sent as ambassador to France in 1776, and had much 
influence in forming the treaty of alliance and commerce, 
from which such advantages were derived to America in the 
revolutionary struggle. He was also one of those who signed, 
the definitive treaty between Great-Britain and the United 
States, in 1783. His distinguished attainments in science and 
literature, gained for him the reputation of a scholar and phi- 
losopher, as did the wisdom of his political conduct the fame of 
a great statesman, and his unwearied exertions in the cause of 
benevolence, the character of a philanthropist. He died in 
11 



122 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

Philadelphia, on the 17 of April, 1790, in the 85 year of his 
age ', and so wonderfully did he retain his mental faculties, 
that it was said of him near the close of life, " he was an or- 
nament to human nature." A collection of his works in Phi- 
losophy, politics, and morals, with a memoir of him^ in 3 vols. 
8vo., was published in London, in 1806. 

Governor Bowdoin was born in Boston, August 18, 1727, 
and graduated at Harvard college in 1745. In '53, he was 
chosen representative from Boston to the general court, where 
he was a conspicuous member until 1756, when he was chosen 
into the council. Here he was eminently useful, but was neg- 
atived by Governor Bernard in 1769, and again elected repre- 
sentative. In 1775, he was president of the council, and con- 
tinued in that office most of the time until the adoption of the 
State Constitution, of which he contributed much to the forma- 
tion. In 1785 he was chosen governor, and was re-elected the 
following year. It was during his administration, and owing 
principally to his energy and perseverance, that the danger- 
ous insurrection ot Shays was quelled. He was a learned 
man, a constant and generous friend ot literature, was charit- 
able to the poor, lived a religious life, and died a peaceful and 
happy death, Nov, 6, 1790, in the 64 year of his age. 

Q. When were the first foho and the first 
quarto editions of the hible puhhshed in the 
United States ? 

A. In 1791, by Isaiah Thomas ; printed 
at his press in Worcester, Massachusetts. 

Q,. Who was the successor of Gov. Bow- 
doin. 

A. John Hancock, who had been the first 
governor under the new constitution. 

Q,. How long did he continue in office as 
Gov. Bowdoin's successor ? 

A. Prom the year 1787, when he was 
elected to office, until October 8, 1793, the day 
of his decease, being 56 years of age. 

He weis the son of Rev. Mr. Hancock of Braintree, and 
was born about the year 1737. On the death of his uncle 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 123 

Thomas Hancock, he received a very considerable fortune, 
and became an eminent merchant. He was president of the 
Provincial Congress in 1774 j and, in 1775, was with Samuel 
Adams exempted in Gov. Gage's proclamation of pardon, as 
their offences were therein declared to be " of too Jlagitiotis 
a nature, to admit of any other consideration than that of con- 
dign punishment." He was at this time a member of the con- 
tinental congress, and in May, the same year, was chosen pre- 
sident of that body, in which capacity, in the year 1776, he 
signed the declaration of independence. In consequence of 
ill health, he took leave of congress in 1777, and received their 
thanks for his attention and impartiality in discharging the du- 
ties of his office. On the adoption of the present constitution 
of Massachusetts, he was chosen the first governor, and was 
annually re-elected until 1785, when he resigned. His ad- 
ministration was ver}- popular. Though not favoured with ex- 
traordinary powers of mind, nor remarkable for his personal 
attachment to literature and science, he was easy in his ad- 
dress, polished in his manners, affable and liberal, could speak 
with ease and propriety on every subject, and as president of 
congress, he exhibited a dignity, impartiality, quickness of 
perception, and constant attention to business, which secured 
him respect. In private life he was charitable and generous, 
and devoted much of his large property to useful and benevo- 
lent purposes. The poor shared liberally in his bounty, and 
he was a generous benefactor of Harvard college. 

Q.. What remarkable event occurred in 
Boston in 1794 ? 

A. A destructive fire, wliicli broke out near 
Milk-street, July 30, and consumed 7 rope- 
walks, and 43 dwelling-houses. Ninety-six 
buildings in all were consumed, and the 
amount of losses was estimated at nearly 
$200,000. 

a. How was the 19 of February, 1795, 
observed, agreeably to a proclamation of Pres- 
ident Washington ? 

Fla^tioiis, a. wicUed, atrocious. 
Condign, n. deserved, merited. - 



124 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 



A. As a day of national thanksgiving 

Q,. When was the first Methodist church 
opened in Boston ? 

A. In 1796, by a Methodist missionary. 

Q. What were some of the events of the 
year 1797 in Massachusetts ? 

A. The launchins^ of the frio^ate Constitu- 
tion, a 44-gun ship, at Boston ; the alteration 
of the name of Castle WiUiam to Foit Inde- 
pendence ; the appearance of the yellow fever 
for the first time in Boston ; and the first oc- 
cupation of the new State-house. 



1 

ch I 



STATE HOUSE IN BOSTON. 




Q,. When and for what purpose was a 
monument erected at Lexington ? 

A. In 1799, by the inhabitants of Lexing- 
ton, under the patronage and at the expense 
of the legislature of Massachusetts, to the mem- 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 125 

ory of their fellow-citizens, " who fell, on this 
neld, the first victims to the sword of British 
tyranny and oppression." 



MONUMENT AT LEXINGTON. 




IV 



126 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

a. What of the year 1800? 

A. The estabhshment of the municipal 
court at Boston, and the introduciion of vac- 
cination into New-England, by Dr. Benjamin 
Waterhouse of Cambridge. 

Gl. When and by whom were merino 
sheep first introduced into New-Engiand ? 

A. In 1802, by David Humphreys, min- 
ister to Spain. 

For this patriotic act, the Massachusetts Society for promo- 
ting Agriculture presented him with a gold medal. 

Q. Wliat distinguished citizen of Massa- 
chusetts died in 1803 ? 

A. Samuel Adams, the firm and decided 
patriot, who was selected as an object of ven- 
geance by the British government. 

He was born in Boston, September 27, 1722, and gra- 
duated at Harvard college in 1740. In 1776, he was one of 
the delegates who signed the declaration of independence. On 
the adoption of the constitution of Massachusetts, he was cho- 
sen a member of the senate, of which he was elected president. 
In 1789, he was chosen lieut. governor of the state, and was 
continued in that office until 1794, when he was elected gover- 
nor as successor to John Hancock, and was annually replaced 
in the chair of state until 1797, when he retired from public 
life. Mr. Adams was a man of incorruptible integrity, of 
christian principles and profession, and of exemplary piety. 
Though his countenance was majestic, and his manners digni- 
fied, he was possessed of a suavity of temper, which conciliated 
the affection of his acquaintance. He faithfully discharged 
the duties of social life, and died on the 2 of Octpber, 1803, in 
the 82 year of his age. 

Q,. When was the State-prison built at 
Charlestown ? 



Vacnnation, s. inoculation for the kine-pox. 
Suavity, s. sweetness. 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. 127 

A. In 1805. 

Stoughlon Hall was also erected for Harvard university the 
same year j the former edifice of that name having fallen into 
decay. 

Q. For what was the year 1806 remark- 
able ? 

A. For a solar edipse on the 16 of June, 
by which the sun, near mid-day, was totally 
obscured for several minutes. 

The scene was at once beautiful and sublime. " The sky 
was unusually serene j not a leaf was in motion. Just before 
the greatest darkness, all nature seemed verging to a state of 
repose. The animals hastened to their noctui-nal retreats. 
The birds sang their evening lays." The stars were some 
time visible. The return of light wdiS instantaneous, but the 
full blaze of the sun was gradual. 



CONVERSATION XXI. 

Interdict.— Attack on the Chesapeake.— Embargo.— Theolog-ical 
Seminary alAndover. — Embargo repealed. — Catholic bishop at Bos- 
ton. — Reparation for the attack on the Chesapeake. — Secotid em- 
bargo. — War declared. — Gov. Strong. — First missionaries. — 
Peace. — North-American Review. — Boat navigation. — Seamen's 
meeting. — Sandwich Island missionaries. 

Q.. What event in 1807 induced President 
Jefferson to interdict the harbours and waters 



Nocturnal, a. nightly. 
Instantaneoiis, a. done in an instant. 
Interdict, v. to prohibit, to forbid. 



128 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

of the United States to all armed British ves^ 
sels, and forbid all intercourse with them ? 

A. An attack on the American frigate 
Chesapeake, by the British ship of war 
Leopard, in consequence of the refusal of Com- 
modore Barron of the Chesapeake to have his 
vessel searched for British deserters. 

A firing was commenced by the Leopard, by which 3 were 
killed and 18 wounded on board the Chesapeake, The latter 
being; unprepared for action, at length surrendered to the 
commander of the Leopard, who took possession of the Ches* 
apeake, mustered her crew, and, carrying- off four of the men, 
abandoned the ship, which was much injured by the attack. 

Q. To what was this outrage a prelude 7 

A. To a series of difficulties, whlcli finall}^ 
led to open war between the two countries. 
On the 22 of December, ensuing this outrage, 
a general embargo was laid by the American 
government. 

Q,. What were the effects of this interrup- 
tion of commerce upon the people of Massa- 
chusetts ? 

A. Exceedingly distressing to all classes 
of the community, more especially in the sea- 
port towns. 

Q,. When was the Theolog'ical Seminary 
opened at Andover ? 

A. In 1808. 

Phebe Phillips, widow of Lieut. Gov. Samuel Phillips oi 
Andover, and their son, John Phillips ; Samuel Abbot of An- 
dover} Moses Brown and William Barileit of Newburyport i 



Prelude, s, somelliinsr inlrodiictory. 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. 129 

and John Norris of Salem, were the principal benefactors of 
the institution. 

Q.. When was the embargo repealed! 

A. On the 1 of March, 1809. 

Q,. Who succeeded Thomas Jefferson as 
president of the United States ? 

A. James Madison, in March, 1809. 

Q. Wiio was the first Roman CathoHc bish- 
op in Boston, and when was he consecrated 7 

A. Tiie Rev. John Cheverus, a worthy 
prelate, consecrated in 1810, by Archbishop 
Carroll. 

Q,. Was reparation ever made by the Brit- 
ish for the attack on the Chesapeake ? 

A. It was, in 1811. 

The men who were forcibly taken from the frigate were then 
restored. But as hostilities were evidently approaching, a 
force of 25,000 men was raised by the American government, 
and preparations for defence were made throughout the 
country. 

Q,. When was the second embargo laid by 
the president, and how long did it continue ? 

A. On the 3 of April, 1812, for 90 days. 

Q,. When was war proclaimed by Presi- 
dent Madison ? 

A. On the 18 of June, 1812. 

Q,. What were some of the principal events 
during the war ? 

A. The surrender to the British of 2,000 
men by General Hull ; the battle' of Fort 
George ; Commodore Perry's victory on lake 

Emhargo, s, a prohibition to pass ; a stop put to trade. 

Repeal, v. to revoke, to reverse. 

Cotutcrate., v. to dedicate to sacred purposes. 



13Q Conversations on the 

Erie ; battle of Williamsburg in Upper Cana- 
da ; the burning of Newark and Buffalo ; the 
battle of Chippewa ; capture of the city of 
Washington, and the burning of the capitol ; 
capture of a British squadron on lake Cham- 
plain by Capt. Macdonougii ; and the battle 
of New Orleans. 

Q. How was Boston defended, when threat- 
ened by the British ? 

A. By the state militia, a p^rt of whom 
were stationed at the forts in Boston harbour, 
and a part at South Boston. 

Q, Who was governor of Massachusetts 
during the war ? 

A. Caleb Strong. 

Q. When were the first missionaries or- 
dained under tlie patronage of tlie American 
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions ? 

A. In 1S12, when 5 missionaries were or- 
dained at Salem, with a view of preaching 
the gospel in Asia. 

Q,. When was the treaty of peace between 
England and America ratified by the president? 

A. On the 17 of February, 1815. 

Q,. How long had the war continued ? 

A. Two years and eight months. 

d. What periodical work was commenced 
at Boston in the year 1815 ? 

A. The North- American Review. 

Q. When was boat navigation commenc- 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 131 

ed between Boston and Concord, N. H. by 
way of the canals on the Merrimack ? 

A. In June, 1815» 

Q,. When was the Seamen's meeting open- 
ed in Boston ? 

A. In 1818; by Rev. Dr. Jenks, on Cen- 
tral-wharf. 

Q. What edifice was erected at Worcester, 
in 1819, and at whose expense ? 

A. A building for the library and cabinet 
of the American Antiquarian Society, at the 
expense of Isaiah Thomas, Esq. the first pres- 
ident of the society. 

Ci. What missionaries embarked from Bos- 
ton this year ? 

A. The first who were sent to the Sand- 
wich Islands, and also the first to Western 
Asia. 



CONVERSATION XXII. 

Separation of Maine from Massachusetts.— Governor.— Plymouth 
anniversary. — City of Boston incorporated. — First mayor. — Presi- 
dent Adams's donations. — John M'Lean's legacy to the Massachu- 
setts General Hospital. — Josiah Quincy elected mayor. — Visit of 
Lafayette. — Anniversary of Bunker-Hill battle. — Do. of Concord 
battle.— Gov. Brooks.— Gov. Eustis.- Events in 1826. 

Q,. When was Maine separated from Mas- 
sachusetts, and formed into a distinct state ? 
A. In 1820 ; on which occasion a conven- 



f 

132 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

tion met in Boston to revise the constitution of 
the state. 

d. Who was governor of Massachusetts 
at the time of the separation ? 

A. John Brooks, who succeeded Governor 
Strong in 1816, and remained in office until 
1823. 

d. What were some of the most noticeable 
events during the last years of his adminis- 
tration ? 

A. The celebration of the 200 anniversa- 
ry of the Landing of the Fathers at Plym- 
outh ; the incorporation of the city of Boston ; 
and the donation of lands, &c. by President 
Adams, to duincy, his native town. 

Gi. By whom was the anniversary cele- 
brated ? 

A. By the Pilgrim Society, joined by the 
Massachusetts Historical, and the American 
Antiquarian Societies, and attended by a vast 
concourse of people. 

A " Discourse in Commemoration of the First Settlement 
of New-England was delivered in the Old Church, by the 
Hon. Daniel Webster, with thrilling effect. The day, the 
occasion, the hallowed place, the surrounding objects, the 
grave-yard, every thing, conspired to give it a deep and in- 
delible impression." 

Q,. When was the city of Boston incorpo- 
rated ? 

A. In 1822. 

d. Who was the first Mayor ? 

A. The Hon. John Phillips. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 133 

On the 1 day of May, the commencement of the municipal 
3'ear, the ceremonies of inducting^ the mayor and other officers 
were attended at Faneuil-Hall. 

Q,. What were the donations of the former 
President, John Adams, to his native town ? 

A. Nearly 200 acres of land, the whole 
proceeds of which to be applied to religious 
and literary purposes from generation to gene- 
ration ; also his whole library, consisting of 
many highly valuable books, in various lan- 
guages. 

Q.. By whom was a valuable legacy be- 
queathed to the Massachusetts General Hos- 
pital in 1823 ? 

A. By John M'Lean, of Boston, who at 
his decease left $100,000 in aid of that emi- 
nently useful institution.* 

Q,. Who succeeded Mr. Phillips in the 
mayoralty of Boston ? 

A. The Hon. Josiah Quincy, son of the 
revolutionary patriot of that name. 

Q.. What distinguished personage visited 
Boston in the year 1824, the first year of Mr. 
Quincy's election to the office of mayor ? 

A. General Lafayette, the French noble- 
man who left his country and engaged in the 
cause of American freedom in 1776, and ren- 

Mayoutlly, s. the office of mayor. 

* A legacy of ^20,000 has this year [1830] been left to the 
Massachusetts General Hospital, from the estate of the late 
Francis Lee, of Boston j and S1;000 by Mr. Joseph Belknap. 

12 



134 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

dered many important services to the young 
nation in its struggle for independence, at a 
time when such services were pecuUarly valu- 
able. 

The manner of his reception by the same nation, after the 
lapse of nearly half a century, when it had become free and 
happy in its institutions, great in power, resources, and num- 
bers, and extensive in territory, is a sufficient proof that at 
least one republic has not been ungrateful. 

Q. How was he received in Boston ? 

A. As in every other place which he visit- 
ed in America, with the livehest demonstra- 
tions of joy, respect, and affection. 

He was welcomed at the town line, by the city magistrates, 
and a procession was formed Avhich moved through several 
streets and entered the common at the south end of the mall, 
and there it passed between two lines formed by the children of 
both sexes belonging to the public schools, and proceeded to 
the State House, where the General was welcomed in the 
name of the State, by Gov. Eustis. " The appearance of 
the entire of this truly grand procession, was august and im- 
posing. As it passed, Lafayette! Lafayette', sprang from 
the voice of multitudes that rolled on and on, like wave after 
wave of the ocean. Lafayette beat in every heart, glowed on 
every cheek, glistened in every swimming e^'e ', every tongue 
vibrated Lafayette. The whole city and country appeared 
to have arrayed themselves in all their glory, beauty, and 
strength, at once to witness and adorn the majesty of the 
spectacle." 

Gl. Who was elected president of the Uni- 
ted States in 1825 ? 

A. John Quincy Adams, son of John Ad- 
ams, who succeeded President Washington in 
1797. 

Q. What anniversaries were celebrated 
this year in Massachusetts ? 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 135 

A. The fiftieth anniversary of the battles 
of Concord and Bunker-Hill ; the former on 
the 19 of April, and the latter on the 17 of June. 

Q,. Where was the anniversary of the Con- 
cord battle celebrated ? 

A. On the spot where the battle was fought. 

Nearly 60 of those who bore arms that day were present. 
The corner stone of a monument was laid, prayers were offer- 
ed in the church, and an eloquent and interesting oration was 
pronounced by professor Everett. 

Q. Was the anniversary of tlie battle of 
Bunker-Hill also celebrated on the battle- 
ground ? 

A. It was, and the venerable Lafayette, 
being present on the occasion, assisted in lay- 
ing the corner-stone of the Monument, about 
to be erected on the spot. 

After which ceremony, the assembled multitude, among 
whom were many of the veterans of the revolution, who had 
come on this interesting occasion to revive their remembran- 
ces of that trying period, and to take a last look of the es- 
teemed Lafayette, having occupied seats erected on the 
North-eastern side of the liill in the form of an ainpJiitliea- 
tre, listened to an address delivered by the Hon. Daniel 
Webster. The enthusiasm excited by the intrinsic character 
of the oration was heightened by the presence of the " nation's 
guest" and the nation's benefactor, and the hoary-headed 
veterans who shared with him the dangers and the glories of 
the revolutionary contest. At the close of the exercises, in- 
vited guests, and others to the number of between 4 and 5,000 
persons, dined under an awning at tables set on the summit of 
Bunker Hill. The address by Mr. Webster, " already bears 
an established character in the classical literature of our 
country." 



Amphitkeatre, s. a building baving rows of seats one above 
another. 



136 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 



BUNKER-HILL OBELISK. 



The obelisk, according to the plan of a building committee of 
the Bunker-Hill Monument Association, is to have a base of 
30 feet diameter, and 10 at the top, with a height of 220 
feet. A hollow cone will rise from the centre, around which, 
a flight of winding stairs is to ascend to the very summit. The 
walls are to be constructed of 77 courses of stone, of 2 feel 8 
inches in thickness, and each block weighing probably from 
3 to 5 tons. Seven feet will be the diameter of the base of 
the cone, and 4 at its apex. Several courses of stone are laid. 



HISTORY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 137 

Q,. What distinguished men died in Mas* 
sachusetts in the year 1825 ? 

A. Governor John Brooks, aged 72 ; and 
his successor in office, Governor WiUiam 
Eustis, also aged 72. 

John BrookS; M.D. LL. D., was born at Medford, in 1752. Af- 
ter finishing- a course of medical studies, he commenced practice 
in the town of Reading-, and wa.s chosen commander of the 
company of minute men raised in that town, at the approach 
of the revolution. On the news of the expedition of the 
British to Concord and Lexington, he instantly marched his 
company to Concord, and contributed much to the^am'c with 
which the troops retreated to their quarters in Boston. He 
now devoted himself to the cause of his country and the pro- 
fession of arms, and was distinguished during the war of the 
revolution for his courage and discipline, especially at the cap- 
ture of Burgoyne, when he vvas colonel, and at the battle of 
Monmouth, when he was acting adjutant-general. He uni- 
formly had the confidence of general Washington. At the 
close of the war, he resumed his profession, and sustained the 
character of " the conscientious; the skilful, and the benevo- 
lent physician 5" a character far more desirable than that of 
the highest proficient in military science. He was n delegate 
in the Slate Convention for the adoption of the Federal Con- 
stitution, and was one of its most zealous advocates. He was 
successively elected to the senate and executive council of the 
state ; and on the retirement of Governor Strong from office 
in 1816, was elected his successor. After having been con- 
tinued in this office for seven successive years, he retired to 
private life, followed by the love and blessings of a grateful 
people. He died at his residence in Medford. 

William Euslis, M.D. M. M. S. S. and LL. D., was born 
at Boston, in 1753, and graduated at Harvard college in 1772. 
At the commencement of the revolution, he was a student in 
medicine witli Dr. Joseph Warren, on whose recommendation 
he was early appointed surgeon of the regiment of artillery 
then at Cambridge. '• In all the duties pertaining to his 
office, Dr. Eustis was faithful, humane, and indefatigable." 
At the termination of the war, he began his professional 
practice at l>oston. He was two years a member of Gov. 



Panic, s. siuiden niid violent fear- 



138 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 

Sullivan's council, and in 1800 was elected member of con- 
gress. In 1809, he was appointed Secretary of War, but 
soon retired from that department. In 1815, he was appointed 
ambassador to Holland ; and in 1821, was chosen member of 
congress. He succeeded Gov. Brooks in the chair of state, 
under circumstances peculiarly auspicious to a happy admmis- 
tration, and died in February, 1825, while in attendance at 
the General Court. 

Q. What were some of the occurrences and 
public improvements in Massachusetts in the 
year 1826 ? 

A.. Tlie estabhshment of the boundary 
line between Connecticut and Massachusetts, 
east of Connecticut river ; the opening of the 
Quincy rail-road ; and the completion of the 
New Faneuil-hall Market. 

*' This building is 636J feet in length, about 60 feet wide, 
and two stories high ; and is probably " one of the boldest, 
most useful, and most splendid public improvements that have 
recently taken place in the Eastern States." Divinity Hall 
for the Theological School at Cambridge, was this year fin- 
ished and dedicated. 

The Quincy rail-road was constructed for the transperia- 
tion of heavy granite stone for building purposes, more espe- 
cially for the erection of the Bunker-Hill monument. This 
rail-road is said to have been the first experiment of the kind 
in America, and is in length about 3 miles from the most dis- 
tant of the two quarries to the navigable waters of Neponset 
river, which empties into Boston bay about 8 miles south- 
easterly of the city. One horse on the railway draws a weight 
which on ordinary public roads requires 4 or 6 horses, and,the 
ground having a gradual descent most part of the vvay, im- 
mense blocks of beautiful Quincy granite are by means of 
this improvement conveyed to the landing-place, whence 
they are taken by water to Boston and other places. 



Transporlntion, s. removal, conveyance, carriago. 
Quarry, s. a Stone miite, a place wheie labourers dig, blast, or 
split the granite or other kind of stone 



HISTORY OP MASSACHUSETTS. 139 



Q,U1NCY RAILWAY. 




Q,. What remarkable occurrence took 
place on the 4 of July, 1826 / 

A. The decease of the venerable John 
Adams, at his seat in Q,uincy, in the 91 year 
of his age ; and of Thomas Jefferson, at Mon- 
ticello in Yirginia. in his 83 year. 

Both were in the foremost rank of statesmen and patriots 
wlio vindicated the rights of their country, and having lived to 
receive the gratuiations of the 50 anniversary of her inde- 
pendence, both expired. Without the aid of panegyric, of 
painting' and of sculpture, their names will be preserved in 
the Declaration of Independence, and interwoven with the 
national history; their actions will present their truest portraits 
to posterity, and the respect of the republic to their memory 
will be their noblest monument. 

Q,. Who was the successor of Governor 
Eustis ? 

A. Ijevi Lincoln, who has been annually 



140 



CONVERSATIONS ON THE 



elected to the office of governor from the year Ij 
1825. « 



He was lieut. governor during the administration of Gov- 
ernor Sullivan, in 1807, and the last year of Governor Brooks, 
in 1823. 

Gl. What has been the state of agriculturej 
commerce, and manufactures m Massachusetts 
during the five years of Goveinor Lincohi's 
administration ? 

A. Prosperous and flourishing. 

Q,. What national edifice for benevolent 
purposes was erected in Massachusetts in the 
year 1827 ? 

A. The United States' Marine Hospital, 
or asylum for sick and disabled seamen ; an 
elegant stone building, in the town of Chel- 
sea, about 3 miles from Boston. 



t 



MARINE HOSPITAL AT CHELSEA. 



^t- 




HISTORY OF BIASSACHUSETTS. 141 

Q.. What improvements have been made 
in education during tlie last five years 7 

A. Very considerable improvements ; a- 
mong which are the establishment of infant 
schools ; the adoption of new methods and 
systems of instruction ; and the introduction 
of additional apparatus into the primary 
schools. 

Great improvements have been made in agriculture, by 
means of associations for the purpose, which have been formed 
in nearly every county in the state ; commerce, especially the 
coasting^ trade, has been very much increased ; and manufac- 
tures of almost every kind, have rapidly advanced towards 
perfection, and many of them are conducted on an extensive 
scale, particularly the manufacture of cottons at the thriving 
village of Lowell. 

The institution of Sabbath Schools during the last ten years, 
may also be reckoned as an important auxiliary to the interest 
of education. 

Q,. What event may be regarded as a 
presage of good to the moral interests of the 
community 1 

A. The formation of Temperance Socie- 
ties ; 

Which, since the year 1826, have multiplied and extended 
not only in the state of Massachusetts, but throughout ail 
New-England, and in many other parts of the Union.* 

Gl, What remarkable events have occur- 
red in Massachusetts since the commencement 
of the year 1830 ? 

A uxiliury, a. helping, assisting. 

* The Massachusetts Temperance Society was formed in 
1815. 



142 CONVERSATIONS, tfcc. 

A. A very great tide at Boston in the 
month of March, and the celebration of the 
second centennial anniversaries of the settle- 
ment of Boston, and several of the adjacen 
towns. 



This tide was higher than any which had been known since 
the year 1724, and occasioned much loss, damage and incon- 
venience to the inhabitants of the less elevated parts of the 
city. The celebration of the centennial anniversary at 
Boston, was attended with many circumstances of interesting 
display. 

Q,. Into how many counties is Massachu- 
setts divided ? 

A. Fourteen : viz. Suffolk, Essex, Mid- 
dlesex, Hampshire, Plymouth, Bristol, Barn- 
stable, Duke's County, Nantucket, Worcester, 
Berkshire, Norfolk, Franklin, and Hampden. 

The 3 first were incorporated in 1643, and the last named 
in 1812. 



3* 



I 



APPENDIX. 



APPENDIX. 



ABSTRACT 

OF THE 

CONSTITUTION OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

The legislature of Massachusetts, called the 
General Court, consists of a Senate and a House 
of Representatives, which (together with the 
Governor and Lieutenant-Governor) are elected 
annually by 'the people. The Senators are 
chosen on the first Monday in April, and the 
Representatives in Ma}^, at least ten days pre- 
vious to the last Wednesday in the month ; 
that being the day of the assembling of the 
legislature, or the General Election. The 
votes for Governor and Lieutenant-Governor 
are given on the first Monday in April. To 
be eligible to the office of Governor or Lieuten- 
13 



146 ABSTRACT OP THE 

ant-Govemor, the candidate must have resided 
in the state seven years, and during that time 
have been seized, in his own right of a free- 
hold of the value of £1000, ($3333,33,) and 
profess the Christian religion. To that of 
Senator, he must have resided in tlie state five 
years ; be, at his election, an inhabitant of the 
district for which he is to be elected, and seized 
of a freehold estate to the value of £300 
($1000), or possessed of personal estate to 
the value of £600 ($2000) ; to that of Rep- 
resentative, he must have resided one year in 
the town which he is chosen to represent, and 
seized therein of a freehold estate to the value 
of £100 ($333,33), or possessed of personal 
estate to the value of £200 ($666,66). , Every 
male citizen of 21 years (except paupers and 
persons under guardianship) who have resided 
within the common wealtli one year, and with- 
in any town or district six months, and shall 
have paid any state or county tax, which shall 
have been assessed upon him within two years 



I 



CONSTITUTION OF MASSACHUSETTS. 147 

next preceding an election of the above offi- 
cers, is qualified to vote. 

Every corporate town, containing 150 rate- 
able polls, may elect one representative ; con- 
taining 375, two ; containing 600, three ; and 
so on, electing one for every 225 rateable polls 
as the towns increase. 

From the persons, returned as senators and 
counsellors, being 40 in the whole, nine are 
annually elected by joint ballot of both houses, 
to constitute a council for advising the Gover- 
nor in the execution of his office. The Gov- 
ernor is ex officio president, and the Lieut. 
Governor is a member of the council. 

All Judicial officers, the Attorney General, 
Sohcitor General, Sheriffs, Coroners and Re- 
gisters of Probate, are nominated, and with the 
advice and consent of the council, appointed by 
the Governor. The Secretary, Treasurer and 
Receiver General, are annually elected by 

Ex officio, Lat. By virtue of one's office. 



148 ABSTRACT OF THE 

joint ballot of both houses ; but the Treasurer 
and Receiver General cannot be elected for 
more than five years successively. Major- 
Generals are also elected by both houses, but 
not annually ; Brigadier Generals are elected 
by the field officers of their Brigades ; Colonels 
and Majors by their Captains and Suhal- 
terns ; and Captains and Subalterns by their 
companies respectively. The Governor ap- 
pohits the Adjutant General ; Major Generals 
their Aids ; and Brigade Generals their Brigade 
Majors ; and the commanding officers of Regi- 
ments their Adjutants and Q,uarter-Masters. 

The Justices, (except Justices of the Peace, 
and Notaries Public whose commissions ex- 
pire once in 7 years, but may be renewed,) 
hold their offices during good behaviour ; and 
Judges of the Supreme Court, are, ex officio, 
justices of the peace through the State. 

The General Court have power to constitute 



Suhaltern, n. an inferior officer, acting under the immediate 
direction of another, as lieutenants, comets, ensigns, &c. 



CONSTITUTION OP MASSACHUSETTS. 149 

a City Government in any town which contains 
12,000 inhabitants, if a majority of its inhab- 
itants vote therefor, at any legal meeting holden 
for that purpose. 

Amendments may be made to the Consti- 
tution, if agreed to by a majority of the Sena- 
tors and two thirds of the House of Represen- 
tatives voting thereon, of two successive 
General Courts, and approved and ratified by 
a majority of the qualified voters, voting there- 
on in meetings legally holden for that purpose, 
in the several tow^ns in the Commonwealth. 

The Constitution was formed in 1780, and 
amended in 1821. 



150 APPENDIY, 



1 



SALARIES OF OFFICERS IN MASSACHU^ 
SETTS GOVERNMENT. 

Governor, $3666,67 

Lieut. Governor, 533,33 

Chief Justice of the S.J. Court, . . . 3500,00 

Threeother Justices of the S.J. Court, each, . 8000,00 

Attorney-General, 2000,00 

Solicitor-General, 2000,00 

Secretary, 2000,00 

Treasurer, 2000,00 

Adjutant-General, 1500,00 

Reporter of Decisions in S. J. Court, • . 1000,00 

Counsellors, Senators, and Representatives, $2,00 each for each 
day's attendance, and $2,00 for every ten miles travel.— President 
of the Senate and Speaker of the House, $4,00 per day, for each 
day's attendance; 



I 



GOVERNORS. 



GOVERNORS OF THE COLONIES OF PLYMOUTH 
AND MASSACHUSETTS. 



Tear, 


Kings cf En- 


Governors of 


Governors oj" Mat' 




gland. 


Plymouth. 


sachxisetts. 


1620. 


James I. 


John Carver. 




1621. 


» 


William Bradford. 




1625. 


Charles L 


» 




1630. 


» 




John Winthrop. 


1633. 


» 


Edward Winslow. 


„ 


1634. 




Thomas Prince. 


Thomas Dudley. 


1635. 


» 


William Bradford. 


John Haynes. 


1636. 


» 


Edward Winslow. 


Henry Vane. 


1637. 




William Bradford. 


John Winthrop. 


1638. 


„ 


Thomas Prince. 


» 


1639. 


„ 


William Bradford. 


„ 


1640. 


„ 


» 


Thomas Dudley. 


1641. 


» 


5> 


Richard Bellingham. 


1642. 




>5 


John Winthrop. 


1644. 


,, 


Edward Winslow. 


John Endicott. 


1645. 


„ 


William Bradford. 


Thomas Dudley. 


1646. 


5) 


»j 


John Winthrop. 


1649. 


The Conitilonwealth. „ 


John Endicott. 


1650. 


n 


» 


Thomas Dudley. 


1651. 


» 


» 


John Endicott. 


1654. 


55 


» 


Richard Bellingham. 


1655. 


„ 


j> 


John Endicott. 


1657. 


» 


Thomas Prince; 


» 


1660. 


Charles IL 


» 


» 



1665. 



Richard Bellingham. 



1555 




APPENDIX. 


jm 


Year. 


Kings of En- 


Governors of 


Governors of Massa- 




gland. 


Plymouth. 


chxisetts. 


1673. 


Charles II. 


Josiah Winslow. 


John Leverett. 


1679. 


» 


„ 


Simon Bradstreet. 


1630. 


n 


Thomas Hinckley. 


n 


1685. 


James II. 


» 


M 


1686. 


M 


n 


Joseph Dudley. 


1687. 


» 


Edmund Andros. 


Edmund Andros. 


1689. 


William III. 


Thomas Hinckley. 


Simon Bradstreet. 


1692. 


>5 


The Colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts 






united. 





GOVERNORS OF 



1693. William III. 



THE PROVINCE 
CHUSETTS, 



OF MASSA 



k 



1702. 
1714. 
1716. 
1728. 
1730. 
1740. 
1757. 
1760. 
1770. 
1774. 
177S. 



Anne, 
George I. 



William Phips. 

Richard, Earl of Bellomont. 

Joseph Dudley. 



Samuel Shute. 
George II. ... William Burnet. 

Jonathan Belcher. 

William Shirley. 

Thomas Pownal. 
George III. . . . Francis Bernard. 

Thomas Hutchinson. 

Thomas Gage. 

The British Government terminated, and was succeeded by 
a Provincial Congress, which, with the Council, governed 
during the RevoluticHi. 



APPENDIX, 



153 



GOVERNORS OF THE STATE OF MASSA- 
CHUSETTS, 



Year. 


Presidents of the 
United States. 


Governors. 


1780. 





John Hancock. 


1785. 




James Bowdoin. 


1787. 





John Hancock. 


1789. 


George Washington, . 


„ 


1794. 


?» 


Samuel Adams. 


1797. 


John Adams, 


Increase Sumner-' 


1800. 


» 


Caleb Strong. 


1801. 


Thomas Jefferson, 


„ 


1807. 


„ 


James Sullivan. 


1809. 


James Madison, 


Christopher Gore 


1810. 


„ 


Elbridge Gerry. 


1812. 


» 


Caleb Strong, 


1816. 


II 


John Brooks. 


1817. 


James Munroe, 


» 


1823. 


» 


. William Eustia, 


1825. 


John Q. Adams, 


Levi Lincoln. 


1829. 


Andrev/ Jackson, . 


' M 



154 



APPENDIX, 





COUNTIES. 




Counties. 




Iiicorp'd. 


Cap. Town,. 


Sdffolk . 


. , . . May 10, 1643. 


Boston. 


Essex . .. .. 


(f 


1643. 


Salem. 


Middlesex . 


u 


1643. 


Cambridge. 


Hampshire 


. ... May? 


, 1662. 


Northampton 


Plymouth . 




1685. 


Plymouth. 


Bristol . . 




1685. 


Taunton. 


Barnstable 




1685. 


Barnstable. 


Duke's . . 




1695. 


Edgartown. 
Nantucket. 


Nantucket 




1696. 


Worcester 




1732. 


Worcester. 


Berkshire 




1761. 


Lenox. 


Norfolk 




1793. 


Dedham. 


Franklin 




1811, 


Deerfield. 


Hampden . 




1812. 


Springfield. 



APPENDIX. 



155 



ANCIENT TOWNS, 



ALPHABETICAL LIST OF TOWNS, 

SETTLED BEFORE 1692, IN THE COLONIES OF PLYMOUTH 
AND MASSACHUSETTS. 



Amesbury. 

Aiidover. 

Atlleboro', (p.) 

Barnstable, (p.) 

Beverly. 

Billerica. 

Boston. 

Boxford. 

Bradford. 

Braintree. 

Brid^ewater,(p.) 

Brookfield. 

Cambridge. 

Charleslown. 

Chelmsford. 

Concord. 

Dartmouth, (p.) 

Dedham. 

Deerfield. 

Dorchester. 

Dunstable.* 

Duxbury, (p.) 

Eastham, (p.) 

Falmouth, (p.) 

Gloucester. 

Groton. 

Hadley. 



Cochituit, 
Chequocket, Coatult, P, 



Shawsheen, 
Shawmut, 



Saughtuckquett, 
Squebaog, . 

Mishawum, 

Musketaquid, 
Coxit, Coquit, . 

Pocomtuck, 
Matapan, 

Mattakuset, . 

Nauset, 

Succonuset, 



1643. 

1639. 

1626. 

1653. 

al626. 

al643. 
1330. 
1651. 
1660. 
1630. 
1628. 
1653. 
1635. 

1635. 

al668. 

1630. 

1637. 
1644. 
1686. 
1639. 
al655. 
1647. 



Inc'd. 

1668. 
1646. 
1694. 
1639. 
1668. 
1655. 
1630. 
1685. 
1675. 
1640. 
1656. 
1G73. 
1630. 
1629. 
1655. 
1635. 
1664. 
1636. 
1682. 
1630. 
1673. 
1637. 
1646. 
1686. 
1639. 
1655. 
1661. 



* The greater portion, and principal settlement now New- 
Hampshire. 



i5t> 


APPENDIX. 








Indian Name. 


SetUed 


Inc'd. 


Harwich, (p.) 


Satuket, 




1694. 


Hatfield. 






1670, 


Haverhill. 


Pentucket, . 


. ' 1641. 


1645. 


Hingham. 




. 1633. 


1635. 


Hull. 


Nantasket, . 


1641. 


1644. 


Ipswich. 


Agawam, 


. 1633. 


1634. 


Lancaster. 


Weshakim, 


1643. 


1653. 


Lynn. 


Saugus, . 


. 1629. 


1630. 


Maiden. 


. 


1148. 


1649. 


Manchester. 


. 


. 1640. 


1645. 


Marblehead. 




1631. 


1649. 


Marlborough. 


Okonunakamesit. 




1660. 


Martha'sVineyard.t Capewak. 






Marshfield, (p.) 




. al640. 


1640. 


Medfield. 




1640. 


1651. 


Medford. 


. 


. 1630. 


1630. 


Mendon. 


. 


1667. 


1667. 


Middleboro',(p.) 


Namasseket, Titicut, 




1660. 


Milton. 


Unquety. 




1662. 


Monamoy; (p.) 


. 




1686. 


Nantucket. 


Coatuc, &c. 


. ' 1659. 


1659. 


Newbury. 


Quascacunquen, 


. 1635. 


1635, 


Newton. 


Nonantum, . . 




1691. 


Northampton. 


Nonotuck, 


. 1654 


1654. 


Northfield. 


Squakeag, . 


. 1673. 


1713. 


Plymouth, (p.) 


Patuxet, 


. 1620. 


1620. 


Reading. 


. 


1640. 


16^t4. 


Rehoboih, (p.) 


Seakunk, 


. 1644. 


1645. 


Rochester, (p.) 


Scipican, &c. 




1686. 


Rowley. 


. 


' . 1639. 


1639. 


Roxbury. 


. 


1630. 


1639. 


Salem. 


Naumkeag, 


. 1626. 


1628. 


Salisbury. 




. .1639. 


1640, 


Sandwich, (p.) 


Monamet, 




1639- 


Scituate. (p.) 


Satuit, . 


. 1633. 


1636. 


Sherburne. 






1674. 


Springfield. 


Agawam, 


* . 1635. 


1645. 


Stowe. 


Shabbakin, &c. . 




1683. 


Sudbury. 


. 


' . 1638. 


1639. 


Swanzey, (p.) 


. 




1667. 


Taunton, (p.) 


Cohannet, 




1639. 


Topsfield. 




. * 1642. 


1650. 



t Comprising Edgartown and Tisbury, both incorporated iu 1671. 



APPENDIX. 



157 



"Water town. 

Wenham. 

Westfield. 

Weymouth. 

Woburn. 

Worcester. 

Wrentham. 

Yarmouth, (p.) 



Indian Name. Settled Iiicor. 

1630. 1630. 

1639. 1643. 

. 1659. 1669. 

1624. 1635. 

■ . . . 1640. 1642. 

Packachoog,orQuonsigomog-, '83. 1684. 

Wollomonuppoag, . . 1673. 

1639. 1639. 



Waranoke, 
Wessajjusset, 



Nobscusset, 



POPULATION OF MASSACHUSETTS AT DIF- 
FERENT PERIODS. 



1701 70,000. 

1749 220,000. 

1755 234,000. 

1^65 ^48,000.^ were 20,000. 

1790 378,000. not including Maine 

1800 . 422,000. „ 

1810 472,000. „ 

1820 523,287. „ 

1830 610,000. „ 



14 



158 APPENDIX. 



EMINENT MEN. 

A LIST OF EMINENT MEN, BELONGING TO MAS- 
SACHUSETTS, 

WHO HAVE DECEASED. 

Abiel Abbot, D. D., of Beverly 3 died at New York, on 
his return from Cuba, 7 June, 1823, aged 58. 

Samuel Adams, Governor of Massachusetts, and patriot of 
the revolution; died October 2, 1803, aged 81. 

John Adams, patriot of the revolution, and President of the 
United States; died July 4, 1826, aged 90. 

John Alden, magistrate of Plymouth colon}', one of the first 
settlers; died September 12, 1687, aged 89. 

John AUin, minister of Dedhani 3 died August 26, 1671. 
aged 75. 

James Allen, minister of the first church in Boston ; died 
September 22, 1710, aged 78. 

Fisher Ames, statesman and orator, president elect of Har- 
vard college ; died July 4, 1808, aged 51. 

Nathaniel Appleton, D. D., a learned theologian, minister 
of Cambridge; died February 9, 1784, aged 93. 

Isaac Backus, D.D., pastor of a Baptist church in Middle- 
borough; died November 20, 1806. aged 82. 

William Balch, minister of Bradford ; died in 1792, aged 88. 

John Barnard, minister of Marblehead; died January 24, 
1770, aged 88. 

Thomas Barnard, minister of Salem ; died in 1776, aged 62. 

Edward Bass, D. D. bishop of Massachusetts, died Septem- 
ber 10, 1803, aged 77. 

Jeremy Belknap, D. D., ordained at Dover, N. H. Februa- 
ry 18, 1767, installed at Boston, April 4, 1787; died June 
20, 1798, aged 54. Author of the History of New-Hamp- 
shire, and American Biography. 

Richard Bellingham, Governor of Massachusetts ; died 
December 7, 1672, aged 80. 

James Bowdoin, Governor of Massachusetts, an eminent 
scholar and philosopher; died November 6, 1790, aged 63. 

Zabdiel Boylston, physician; died March 1, 1766, aged 86- 
Introduced innoculation tor small pox, into America. 

William Brewster, one of the first settlers of Plymouth.. 



APPENDIX. 159 



Theophilus Bradbury, judg-e of the Superior Court j died 
September 6, 1803, aged 63. 

William Bradford, second Governor of Plymouth colony; 
died May 9, 1657, aged 68. 

Simon Bradstreet, Governor of Massachusetts; died at 
Salem, March 27, 1G97, aged 94. 

Simon Bradstreet, minister of Charlestown, an eminent 
Greek scholar; died December 31, 1741, aged 72. 

William Bratlle, minister of Cambridge j died February 
15, 1717, aged 56. 

Eleazer Brooks, Brig. General in the revolution; died 
November 9, 1806, aged 80. 

Peter Bulkley, first minister of Concord; died March 9, 
1659, aged 76. 

Jonathan Burr, minister of Dorchester; died August 9, 
1641, aged 37. 

Nathaniel Byfield, judge of the Vice- Admiralty, and mem- 
ber of the council, and an eminent merchant; died at Boston, 
June 6, 1733. 

Mather Byles, minister of Hollis Street Church, Boston ; 
distinguished for learning : died July 5, 1788, aged 82. 

John Brooks, Governor of Massachusetts, an eminent phy- 
sician ; died ftlarch 1, 1825, aged 73. 

Robert Calef, merchant of Boston, author of a book against 
the opinions of Cotton Mather, concerning Witchcraft; died 
April 13, 1719. 

John Carver, first Governor of Plymouth colony ; died at 
Plymouth in 1621. 

Charles Chauncy, second President of Harvard College, 
an eminent scholar; died Feb. 19, 1672, aged 81. 

Charles Chauncy, D. D. minister of Boston ; died February 
10, 1787, aged 82. 

Ezekiel Cheever, schoolmaster of Boston ; died August 21, 
1708, aged 93. 

Benjamin Church, of Duxbury, an officer in the Indian 
wars; died January 17, 1718, aged 79. 

Peter Clark, minister of Danvers ; died June 10, 1768, 
aged 72. 

Benjamin Colman, first minister of Brattle-Street Church, 
Boston ; died August 29, 1747, aged 72. 

Elisha Cooke, physician of Boston, member of the council 
of Massachusetts; died October 31, 1715, aged 78. 

Elisha Cooke, son of the preceding, member of council, and 
agent for the colony, in England; died August 1737, aged 59. 

William Cooper, minister of Boston, died December 29, 
1743, aged 60. 



160 APPENDIX. 



Samuel Cooper, D. D. son of tlie foregoing; minister of 
Boston, first Vice President of the A. A. S.5 died December 
29, 1783, aged 58. 

John Cotton, minister of Boston, an eminent scholar ; died 
December, 1652, aged 67. 

Thomas Cashing, LL. D., Lieut Governor of Massachu- 
setts ; died February 28, 1788, aged 63. 

Robert Cushman, one of the first settlers of Plymouth 5 died 
in 1625. 

Tristram Dalton, one of the first senators of Massachusetts 
in Congress; died June 1817, aged 79. 

Samuel Danforth, minister of Roxburyj died November 19, 
1674, aged 48. 

William Douglass, physician of Boston, and historian 5 
died October 21, 1752. 

Thomas Dudley, Governor of Massachusetts ; died July 31, 
1653, aged 77. 

Paul Dudley, grandson of the preceding, Chief Justice of 
Massachusetts, and a benefactor of Harvard College; died 
January 21, 1751, aged 75. 

Jeremiah Dummer, agent for the Massachusetts colony, in 
England; died March 19, 1739. 

)Villiam Dummer, Lieut. Governor, and Governor pro tem. 
of Massachusetts; died October 10, 1761, aged 82. Founded 
Dummer Academy at Newbury. 

Henry Dunsier, President of Harvard College ; died Feb- 
ruary 27, 1659. 

Jonathan Edwards, President of Union College j died 
August 1, 1801, agod 56. 

John Eliot, minister of Roxbury, styled " the Apostle of the 
Indians ;" died May 20, 1690, aged 86. 

Andrew Eliot. D. D., minister of Boston; died September 
13, 1778, aged 58. 

John Endicoit, Governor of Massachusetts ; died March 15, 
1665. aged 26. 

William Eustis, Governor of Massachusetts 3 died February 
6, 1825, aged 72. 

Peter Faneuil, founder of Faneuil Hall in Boston ; died 
March 3, 1743. 

Nathan Fiske, D. D., minister of Brookfield; died Novem- 
ber 24, 1799, aged 66. 

Jedidiah Foster, Justice of the Superior Court ; died Octo- 
ber 17, 1769, aged .59. 

Thomas Foxcroft, minister of Boston, ordained November 
20, 1717 ; died June 18, 1769, aged 72. 

Benjamin Franklin, born in Boston, January 17, 1706, and 



APPENDIX. 161 



died at Philadelphia April 17, 1790, aged 84. " A Philoso- 
pher and Statesman." 

Daniel Gookin, author of Historical Collections of the Indi- 
ans, and Major General of Massachusetts; died March 19, 
1687; aged 75. 

William Gordon, D. D., minister of Roxbury, and Histori- 
an of the American War; died at Ipswich, Eng. October 19. 
1807, aged 77. 

Samuel Green, one of the earliest printers in America, 
— Cambridge; died January 1, 1702, aged 87. 

Jeremy Gridley, editor of the Rehearsal, and King's Attor- 
ney General; died September 10, 17G7. 

Elbridge Gerry, minister to France, Gov, of Massachu- 
setts, and Vice President of the United States; died at Wash- 
ington, November 28, 1814. 

Christopher Gore, Governor of Massachusetts, an eminent 
lawyer; died March 1, 1827, aged 69. 

John Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts, and President 
of the Continental Congress ; died October 8, 1793, aged 66. 

Jason Haven, minister of Dedham; died May 17, 1803, 
aged 70. 

Francis Higginson, first minister of Salem; died in August, 
1630, aged 42. 

John Higginson, son of the preceding; died December 9, 
1708, aged 92. 

Leonard Hoar, M. D., President of Harvard College; died 
November 28, 1675. 

Thomas Hollis, founder of the Professorship of Divinity 
and Mathematics in Harvard College ; died in February 1731, 
aged 72. 

Edward Holyoke, President of Harvard College j died 
June 1, 1769, aged 80. 

Edward Holyoke, M. D. LL.D., son of the preceding; 
died March 31, 1829, aged 100. 

Thomas Hooker, minister of Cambridge, afterwards of 
Hartford, Conn., and one of the most eminent divines of New- 
England ; died July 7, 1647, aged 61. 

Samuel Hopkinu, a distinguished theologian ; died Decem- 
ber 20, 1803, aged 82. 

William Hubbard, Historian of Massachusetts, and of the 
Indian Wars ; died September 14, 1704, aged 83. 

Thomas Hutchinson, Chief Justice, and Governor of Massa- 
chusetts, and Historian; died in England in June, 1780, 
aged 69. 

14* 



162 APPENDIX. 



Rufus King-, Representative in Congress, &c. ; died April 
29, 1827, aged 72. 

Henr}' Knox, Major General in the U. S. Army, and Sec- 
retary of War; died in Maine, October 25, 1806. 

John Leverett, agent for the colony in England, and Gover- 
nor of Massacliuselts ; died March 16, 1678. 

John Leverejtt, President of Harvard College j died May 3 
1724. 

John Lowell. Judge of the U. S. Circuit Court; died at 
Roxbury, ]May 6, 1802, aged 68. 

John Lathrop, born in Boston, January 1772, educated as 
a lawyer. A poet of some note. 

John Mason, one of the first settlers of Dorchester, and 
author of a History of the Pequot War, aged 72. 

Richard Mather, minister of Dorchester ; died April 22, 
1669, aged 78. 

Samuel Mather, son of the preceding, graduated at Har- 
vard College, and settled in the ministry in England; died 
October 29, 1671 , aged 45. 

-Increase Mather, D. D., brother of Samuel, President of 
Harvard College : died August 2.3, 1723, aged 84. 

Cotton Mather, D. D., son of Increase, minister of Boston, 
a man of vast learning; died February 13, 1728, aged 65. 

Thomas Mayhew, Governor of Martha's Vineyard ; died in 
1681, aged 90. 

Thomas Mayhew, son of the former, and minister of Mar- 
tha's Vineyard; lost at sea in 1657. 

John Mayhew, son of the preceding, minister of the Vine* 
yard ; died February 3, 1689, aged 37. 

Experience Mayhew, son of the preceding, held the same 
office ; died November, 29, 1758, aged 85. 

Jonathan Mayhew, D.D., minister of Boston, son of the pre- 
ceding; died July 9, 1766, aged 46. 

George R. Minot, Historian of Massachusetts, and Judge of 
Probate, Suffolk County; died January 2, 1802, aged 44. 

Zephaniah Swift Moore, first President of Amherst College j 
died June, 1825. 

Nathaniel Morton, secretary of Plymouth colony, and au- 
thor of the New-England Memorial ; died 1685, aged 73. 

Jedidiah Morse, minister of Charlestown, Historian and 
Geographer; died at New-Haven, June 1826, aged 65. 

John Norris, merchant of Salem, one of the fiaunders of the 
Theological Institution at Andover, member of the Senate of 
Massachusetts ; died December 22, 1308, aged 57. 

John Norton, minister of Boston, an eminent scholar and 
divine; died April 5, 1663, aged 57. 



APPENDIX. 163 

James Norton, minister of Newbury, eminently skilled in 
the Greek language ; died October 22, 1656, aged 48. 

Nicholas Noyes, minister of Salem, a learned and useful 
man j died December 13. 1717, aged 70. 

Urian Oakes, President of Harvard College, a great Latin 
scholar ; died July 25, 1681, aged 50. 

Andrew Oliver, Lieut. Governor of Massachusetts ; died 
March 2, 1774, aged 68. 

Peter Oliver, brother to the former, Judge of the Superior 
Court i died in England, October, 1791, aged 79. 

James Otis, statesman and patriot of the revolution 3 died 
by lightning, May 23, 1783, aged 58. 

Samuel Parker, D. D., several years an instructer in New- 
bury, succeeded Bishop Bass, as Bishop of the Episcopal 
Churches of Massachusetts j died December 6, 1804. 

Thomas Parker, first minister of Newburvj died April 
1677, aged 82. 

Isaac Parker, Chief Justice of Massachusetts, President of 
the Convention of 1820 ; died July 25, 1830, aged 63. 

Jonathan Parsons, minister of Newburyport, a distinguished 
scholar j died July 19, 1776. 

Robert Treat Paine, one of the signers of the Declara:tion 
of Independence 5 died May 12, 1814, aged 83. 

Robert Treat Paine, son of the preceding, a scholar and 
poet; died November 13, 1811, aged 38. 

Elijah Parish, minister of Byfield ; died October 15, 1825, 
aged 63. 

Moses Parsons, minister of Byfield; died December 14, 
1783. 

Theophilus Parsons, son of Moses, Chief Justice of the 
Supreme Court; died May 1813, aged 60. 

Thomas Pemberton, merchant of. Boston, member of the 
Massachusetts Historical Society, author of Massachusetts 
Chronology, &lc. ; died July 3, 1807, aged 79. 

Hugh Peters, minister of Salem, sent to England as agent 
for the colony in 1641, and executed there for treason, Octo- 
ber 16,1660. 

Samuel Phillips, Lieut. Governor of Massachusetts, and 
held several other offices ; died February 10, 1802, aged 50. 

William Phipps, knighted by king James II., and Governor 
of Massachusetts ; died February 18, 1695, aged 44. 

Timothy Pickering, a statesman and political character; 
died January 29, 1829, aged 83. 

Thomas Pownal, Governor of Massachusetts, a friend to 
American liberty died in England, February 25, 1805. 



1G4 APPENDIX. 



Thomas Prince, Governor of Plymouth colony ; died March 
29, 1673, aged 72. 

Thomas Prince, minister of the Old South, Boston 3 died 
October 22, 1758, aged 71. 

Israel Putnam, Major General in the U. S. Army, celebra- 
ted for his adventure with a wolf in a cave ; died at Brook- 
lyn, Conn. , May 29, 1790, aged 72. 

Josiah Quincy, an able lawyer and politician, and patriot 
of the revolution } died at sea, April 24, 1775, aged 31. 

Ezekiel Rogers, first minister and leader of the settlement 
at Rowley 5 died January 30, 1661, aged 71. 

John Rogers, President of Harvard College; died July 2^ 
1662, aged 53. 

Sir Richard Saltonstall, one of the promoters of the settle- 
ment of Massachusetts; died in England, in 1658. 

Richard Saltonstall, sou of the preceding, assistant in 1637 ; 
died in England, April 29, 1694, aged 84. 

Nathaniel Salstonstall, son of Richard, assistant in 1679, 
and Judge of the Supreme Court ; died 21 of May, 1707, 
aged 67. 

Simeon Strong, Judge of the Supreme Court, a scholar, 
civilian and theologian ; died December 14, 1805, aged 70. 

Caleb Strong, Governor of Massachusetts ; died Novem- 
ber 1820, aged 76. 

Nathaniel P. Sargent, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; 
died October 1791. 

Samuel Sewall, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, an 
eminent scholar; died January I, 1730, aged 78. 

Joseph Sewall, son of Samuel, minister of the Old South 
Church, Boston ; died June 27, 1679. aged SO. 

Stephen Sewall, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, a 
school-master and preacher ; died September 10, 1760, aged 
57. 

Stephen Sewall, first Hancock professor of Hebrew at 
Harvard College ; died July 23, 1804, aged 70. 

Thomas Shepard, minister of Cambridge; died August 25, 
1649, aged 44. 

William Shirley, Governor of Massachusetts ; died March 
24, 1771. 

Myles Standish, first military commander in Massachusetts; 
died in 1656. 

Samuel Stiliman, D. D., Baptist minister of Boston; died 
March 13, 1807, aged 69. _ 

William Stonghton, Lieut. Governor of Massachusetts, 
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, &c; died July 7, 1701^ 
aged 70. 



APPENDIX. 165 

James Sullivan, Governor of Massachusetts, Attorney Gen- 
eral, «fcc. ; died December 10, 1808, aged 64. 

Increase Sumner, Governor of Massachusetts ; died June 7, 
1799, aged 53. 

Thomas Symmes. minister of Bradford j died October 6, 
1725, aged 47. 

Thomas Thacher, first minister of the Old South Churth, 
Boston, also a learned physician ; died October 15, 1678, 
aged 58. 

Benjamin Wadsworth, President of Harvard College j 
died March 16, 1737, aged 67. 

John VValiey, counsellor, and Judge of the Superior Court ; 
^died January 11, 1712, aged 68. 
/ Nathaniel Ward, minister of Ipswich, a man of great wit 
and humour; died in 1653, aged 82. 

John vV ard, son of Nathaniel, minister of Haverhill j died 
December 27, 1693, aged 87. 

Artemas Ward, first Major General of the American Army, 
and member of Congress; died October 28, 1800, aged 73. 

Joseph Warren, Major General in the American Armyj 
slain at the battle of Bunker-Hill, June 17, 1775, aged 35. 

John Warren, professor of Anatomy and Surgery in Har- 
vard College, and President of the Massachusetts Medical 
Society ; died April 4, 1815, aged 62. 

Joseph Willard, D,D., President of Harvard College; 
died, September 25, 1804, aged 65. 

Josiah Willard, secretary of Massachusetts 39 years ; died 
December 6, 1756, aged 75. 

John Williams, minister of Deerfield ; died June 12, 1729, 
aged 65. 

Roger Williams, minister of Salem, and founder of Rhode- 
Island ; died April 1683, aged 84. 

Ephraim Williams, founder of Williams' College, and 
officer in the French war; killed near Lake George, Septem- 
ber 8, 1755. 

John Wilson, first minister of Boston; died August 7, 1677, 
aged 78. 

Edward Winslow, Governor of Plymouth colony j died in 
the West-Indies, May 8, 1655, aged 60. 

Joseph Winslow, son of Edward, first native governor in 
New-England, a brave soldier ; died December 18, 1680, 
aged 57. 

John Winthrop, first Governor of Massachusetts, a most 
worthy and useful man; died March 26, 1649, aged 61. 



166 APPENDIX. 

John Winthrop, F. R. S., Hollis professor of Mathematics 
and Natural Philosophy, in Harvard College, 40 years ; died 
May 3; 1779, aged 64. 

John Wise, minister of Ipswich, (now Essex,) a distinguish- 
ed friend of civil and religious liberty, a scholar and orator j 
died April 8, 1725, aged 73. 

Samue! VVorcester, D. D., minister of Salem, secretary of 
the American Board of Commissions for Foreign Missions j 
died June 7. 1821. 









APPENDIX. 107 



MANUFACTORIES. 



The legislature of Massachusetts has ever fostered the 
jS^rowth of manufactures ; but the attention of capitalists has 
been more especially diverted into this channel, within the last 
20 years, from the uncertain returns of investments in com- 
merce and navigation. Many associations within this period 
have been formed, duties have been laid by congress on im- 
ported goods, and acts of incorporation granted l)y the general 
court for the extensive manufacture of fine and coarse wool- 
len cloths, calico goods, coarse and fine cottons, hosiery, cor- 
dage, flint and other kinds of glass, leather of various 
kinds, wrought and cast iron, nails, fire-arms, copper, brass, 
bell-metal and lead, paper, white lead and chymical colours. 
Many of the raw materials for these purposes have been 
cultivated or found in Massachusetts, and cotton imported from 
her sister states. The breed of sheep has been improved, and 
Saxon and merino fine wool raised in the state. Iron mines 
have been found in Plymouth and Bristol counties, and seve- 
ral in Berkshire ; lead mines have also been found in the town 
of South Hadley and other places, and ochres and other fossils 
in various towns; quarries of marble and limestone in large 
quantities in Berkshire, slate in Worcester, and soap-stone in 
Hampshire county ; and granite for building in many places, 
particularly at Chelmsford, Tyngsborough, and Quincy. 



LIST OF INCORPORATED MANUFACTORIES 
IN MASSACHUSETTS. 



Name. Location. Incorporated Capital 

Amesbury Nail Factory, at Amesbury. 1805. ^400,000 

Appleton Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Lowell. 1828. ;g:i,000,000 

Amesbury Woollen and Cot- 
ton Manufactory, at Amesbury. 1813. ^100,000 

Capital^ s. money vested in the stock of a trading or manufac- 
turing company. 
Capitalists, s. monied men, rich men. 



168 APPENDIX. 

Name. Location. Incorporated Capital 

Amherst Cotton Factory. at Amherst. 1814. ^50,000 

Adams Cotton and Woollen cimiM^n 

Manufactory at Adams. 1809. ^60,000 

Adams Factory, south village at Adams. 1814. flOO.OOO 

Adams Factory, north do. do. 1814. ^ 100,000 

Acawam Manufacturing ^,^^^^^ 

Company, at West-Springfield. 1810. ^100,000 

Alherton Cotton and Wool- 

len Factory, at Attleborough. 1816. ;?70,000 

Athol Woollen and Cotton 

Factory at Athol. 1814. ^50,000 

^tan/F^try'^ "^^ Attleborough. 1818. ^000 

Ashburnham Leather Fac-^^^^^^^^^^ 1820. ^0,000 

Annawan Cotton and Wool- ff<?,nn nno 

len Factory. at Troy. 182o. ^200,000 

Bridgewater Cotton Gin, at Bridgewater. 1826. ;glOO,000 

Bridefewater Woollen and ^.^/^ .^^^ 

Cotton Factory, at Bridgewater. 1813. ^100,000 

Bridgewater Iron Factory, at Bridgewater. 1825. ^100,000 

Belvidere Cotton and Wool- 

len Factory, at Tewksbury. 1823. ^650,000 

^^ctrFaJtoTy,'"' ^^' at Braintree. 1832. ^1(X),000 

^FaTory^'^" "' """' at Canton. 1825. ^75,000 

Bristol Colton Factory, at Dighton. 1812. |100,000 

Boston Glass Manufactory, at Cheshire. 1809. ^200,000 

Boston Woollen and Cot- «.^««„n. 

ton Factory, at Bellingham. 1813. ^400,000 

Boston Copper and Brass 

Manufactory, Boston and Braintree. 1825. %350,0W 

Boston Soap-stone Manu- ^„^ ,^r^^ 

factory, at Ashburnham. 1820. ;8:20,000 

Boston Copper Manufac- ^ „« 

tory, at Boston and Cambridge. 1824. ^300,000 

Boston and Canton Cotton ornnnnn 

and Wool Factory, at Canton. 1824. ^600,000 

Boston and Ipswich Lace oi^^nnnn 

Manufactory, at Ipswich. 1824. ^150,000 

Boston and Springfield Man- ffdnn 000 

ufaptorv at Springfield. 1823. ^44J0,UUIF 

BostorB?ewery, at Boston. 1826. «150,000 



APPENDIX. 169 

'"*■ Location. Incorporated Capital. 

Boston Iron Factory, at Boston. 1822. J?400,000 

Boston Glass Bottle Mauufacto- ^'i-^.wu 

D '^^' . ,, at Boston, 

lioston and Stoneham Marble 

Company, at Stoneham. 

tJoston Flint Glass Manufac- 

iuring Company, at Boston. 

tJoston and Sandwich Glass 

Manufactory, at Boston and Sandwich, 
lioston Beer Manufactory, at Boston 
Boston and Lowell Wool- 
ion and Cotton Manufac- 
taring Company, at Lowell. 

Jiosion Hat iVlanulkctory, in Franklin co 
Boston Lead Manufacturing 

Company, at Boston, 

lioston and Gloucester Gra- 

nite Company. at Boston. 

Boston Cordage Manufactory, at Boston, 
lioston Cliymical Company, at Newton 
Bottomly Cotton and Wool- 

leii Factory, at Leicester. 

Lemis Cotton and Woollen Fac- 

tory at VVatertown and Newton, 

bellingham Woollen and 

Cotton Manufactory, at Bellingham. 
B.rmmgl.am Factory, at Boston. 

Central V^ oollen and Cot- 
ton Factory, atSeekonk. 
Canal Cotton and Iron Fae- 
^ *"0': at Lowell. 
l-^ummmaionCotton Facforv,at Cummin'^ton 
(-^ummington Woollen Factory, at do 
City Cotton and Woollen 

Factory, al Franklin. 

Columbian Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Southbridgc. 
Chatham and Harwich Cotton 

and Woollen Factory, at Harwich. 

Canton Cotton and Woollen 

Factorj', at Cattton. 

Crown and Eagle Cotton Fac- 
"'°>'^ at Uxbridge. 

15 



1826. 


5100,000 


1827. 


5100,000 


1830. 


5125,000 


1826. 

1828. 


5300,000 
5150,000 


1829. 
J810. 


5500,000 
5100,000 


1829. 


5300,000 


1829. 
1828. 

1828. 


550,000 

5180,000 

550,000 


1827. 


5100,000 


1827. 


5300,000 


1814. 
1812. 


5150,000 
5200,000 


1813. 


5300,000 


1823. 
.1816. 
181G. 


5600,000 

570,000 

^70,C00 


1822. 


5200,000 


1825. 


5150,000 


1827. 


5300,000 


1829. 


5500,000 


1830. 


5300,000 



170 APPENDIX. 

Name. I.ocation. Incorforated Capital. 

Cheshire Glass Company, at Cheshire. 1809. ^200,000 

Chelmsford Glass Manu- ^^ ^^^ 

factory, at Chelmsford. 1828. ^80,000 

Diamond Cotton and Wool- ^^^ ^^^ 

len Factory, at Walpole. 1829. ^30,000 

Danvers Cotton Factory, at Danvers. ISlO. ^JOO,UOO 

Danvers Cotton Factory, at Danvers. 1824. ;glftO,000 

Dudley Woollen Factory, at Dudley. 18-24. ^150.000 

Dudley Cotton Factory, at Dudley. 1816. .550.000 

Douglas do. do. at Douglas. 1816. ^100,000 

Douglas Cotton and Wool- _^^ ,,,^r. ^^,-. 

len Factory, at Douglas. 1828. ^120,000 

Dalton Cotton and Paper <»„nnnn 

Manufactory, at Dalton. 1814. |50.000 

Dean Cotton Factory, at Taunton. 1815. ;5()0,0UU 
Dedham Cotton and Wool 

Factory, at Dedham. 1814. ^400.000 

Duxhury Cotton Factory, at Duxbury. 1813. ^100,000 

Duxbury South-river Cot- ^,,^^^/^r. 

ton Factory, do. 1815. ;gl00,000 

Dorchester Cotton and Iron ^,^«\x«rw 

Manu. Company, at Dorchester. 18 1. .5 00,000 

Dover Iron and Nail Factory, at Dover. 1819. ^^100,000 

Digh,o„ C„uo„ Facory, ac JVelNi.KJon ^^^^ ^^^^ 

Ea^.^o„couo„ and Wool ^^ ^^^,^_^ ,3,^ ^^^.^ 

Easton Lead and Silver Mi- ^oa nnn 

nin- Factory, at Easton. 1825. g80,000 

Elliot^Cotlon Factory, at Newton. 1823. ^^SOO.OOO 

Enfield Cotton and Woollen ^,^« a^a 

Yarn Factory, at Enfield. 1826. ;5100,000 

Eagle Cotton Factory, at Wrentham. 1818. ^100,000 

East-Bridgevvater Cotton «1,-/^nr^n 

Factory! at East-Bridgewater. 1828. ;^150,000 

East Medway Factory, at Medway. 1827. PO.OOO 

Fitchburg Cotton Factory, at Fitchburg. 1807. 5>i00,UUU 

Farmers Woollen Factory, at Lenox. 1815. V^^WU 

Foxborough Cotton Factory, at Foxboro'. 1815. ,S{JU,UUU 

Framingham Wool and Cot- :»^r^ n^^n 

ton Factory, at Framingham. 1813. |50,000 

Frankl-n Cotton Factory, at Franklin. 1813. ^-iU.UUl^ 

Franklin Glass Manufac- «,«n nnn 

tory, in Franklin County. 18112. P0,000 



APPENDIX, 171 

Nanif^. Location. incorporated Capital. 

Falls Cotton Factory, at Atlleborough. 1813. ^100,000 

Fall River Cotton Factory, at Troy. 1820. ^50,000 

Fall River Iron Works, at Troy. 18^5, ^00,000 

Grafton Cotton and Woollen 

Manufacturing- Company, at Grafton. 1830. ^300,000 

Gay Cotton Factory, at Stougliton. 1814. ^100,000 

Globe t.'otton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Sturbridge. 1814. ^30,000 

Groentield Cotton and Wool 

Factory, at Greenfield. 1829. ^125,000 

Green-River Cotton and Wool 

Factory, at Green River. 1825. ^200,000 

Hamilton Cotton and W^ool- 

len Factory. at Lowell. 1825. ,§:600,000 

Hampshire Leather Man- 
ufactory, in Hampshire county. 1809. ^'''0,000 

Hampshire Lead Manu- 
factory, in Hampshire county. 1812. ^200,000 

Hampshire Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Ware. 18-29. ^500,000 

Hopkinton Cotton Factory, at Hopkinton. 1811. ^100,000 

Hopkinton and FVaming- 

ham Cotton Factory, at Hopkinton. 1811. ^100,000 

Hampden Cotton Factory, at Monson. 1814. ,^300,000 

Haverhill Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Haverhill. 1814. ^80,000 

Hingham Woollen Factory, at Hing-ham. 1812. ^100,000 

Hingham Umbrella Manufaclory,H"ingham.l825. 575,000 

Hadley Falls Cotton, Wool- 
len, *&c. Factory, at West- Springfield. 1827. p6,000 

Holliston Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Holliston. 1813. ,g!l00,000 

Holliston Cloth Manufactory, do. 1814. ^100,000 

Hosack Cotton, W^oollen, 

and Linen Rlanufactory, at Adams. 18C9. $15,000 

Housatonick Factory, at Pittsfield. 1812. ^50,000 

Holden Cotton and Woollen 

Manufactory, at Holden. 1811. ^30,000 

Ipswich Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Ipswich. 1828. ,^150,000 

James-river Cotton and Wool 

Factory, at Kingston. 1812. ^100,000 

Kingston Cotton and Wool- 
len Manufactory, at Kingston. 1811. ,gf50,000 



172 APPENDIX. 

f^.^^g Location. Incorporated Capital. 

Kingston Cotton Factory, at Kingston. 1828. ^80,000 

Lenox Cotton, Woollen, and «?inonnO 

Linen Manufactory, at Lenox. 1B09. ^100.000 

Lancaster Cotton Factory, at Lancaster. 1821. P0,000 

Linen and Duck Manufactory, at Lynn. 1814. ^loO,OUO 

Lynn Printing, Dyeing, and «r9<?n 000 

%lazing Manufactory, at Lynn. 1826. ^230.000 

Lynn Wfre Manufactory, at Lynn. 18 4. 560,000 

iJdlow Glass Manufactory, at Ludlow. 1815. i?.0,000 

Leicester Woollen Factory, at Leicester. 82^. S^f^W 

Lead Pipe Factory, at Concord 18.8. ^ -0,UUU 

Lowell Cotton and Wool- j328. ^gOO.OOO 

I'^'llRt-Srv a lZ-'1- ^^^^- ^^^^XWO 

Si::;stldcS'Factory, at Mansfield. 1814. SGO,000 

"'^V^tenFrory;"' at Bridgewater. 1814. ^100,000 

MedwayColton Manufactory, alMedway. loOD. gm.OW 

"TfMt'ufe ','";"" "'"'at Ma,shfi.kl. 18.1. » 150,000 
Mir","woIiTSory. a. Dudley. 181-Z. glOO.OOO 

Maiden Nail "'"f ^'^^ y.^ counly. 1810. §150.000 
MoLn Woollen Fac,orr' a. Monsol 1815. ««,000 
Monson and Brimfield Cotton 

and Wool Factory two at Br.mfield 

and Monson united. l»-i- ^5^-^".""" 

^^oiSg g::^"""" at Lowell.- 1822. g600,000 

* The manufactories at Lowell deserve particular notice, but 
we have neither the means nor the room to g.ve a full account 
of theh--rowlh,or present state. The town of Lowell, as 
ot tneir„ro , i- ^ j General Court, passed on 
;re"'ofMarch^826, contains 4 square miles, formerly the 
Nor h°eas e n sectio.', of the town of Chelmsford It .s s.tua- 
at the co»>.«^e of the Merrimack and Concord nvers he 
former of which separates it from Drarut on the "O'/thj the 
lalJJr from Tewksburv on the east. From its location and 
C elmXd, and from^observation they were ^oj satis fie^dtha 
the privilege was e xactly what was wa:Ued. I he Pawtuckel 
Confluence, s. the junction or union of several streams. 



APPENDIX. 173 



Name. I,ocation. Ineorporated Cajiital. 

Mount Pleasant Cotton and 

Woollen Factory, at Leicester. 1825. ^300,000 

Middletjoroiig-h Cotton Fac- 
tory, et Mid'Ueborough. 1815. ^100,000 

other circumstances, it is reasonable to infer that it will 
claim a station among' the first manufacturing towns in the 
United Slates. The first efforts in this place to promote man- 
ufactures, were made in 1813. In consequence of the restric- 
tions that were laid upon commerce, and of the war with Great 
Britain, the attention of many enterprising men was directed 
to domestic manufactures, Capt, Phineas Whiting, and 
Capt. Josiah Fletcher, having selected an eligible site on 
Concord river, at the Wamesit Falls, about 100 rods from the 
Merrimack, erected, at the expense of about ^3,000, a large 
wooden building for a cotton manufactory. In the autumn of 
1818, they sold their buildings, and their right to the water 
power, to Mr. Thomas Hurd. Mr. Hard soon after fitted up 
the wooden factory, and erected also a large brick building, 
and several dwelling houses, and improved the same for fabri- 
cating woollen goods. He also commenced an extension of 
his business, by the erection of a factory at the foot of the 
Pawiucket falls, on the Dracut side of the Merrimack. But 
owing to pecuniary embarrassments, these establishments 
have since passed into other hands. 

" About the year 1820, or 21, Messrs. Patrick T. Jackson, 
Nathan Appleton, and Kirk Boott, of Boston, entered into a 
design to fi:)rm a company for the purpose of manufacturing 
cotton goods, particularly calicoes. They accordingly com- 
menced an enquir}' for a suitable water privilege. A large 
number of privileges were examined, and for various reasons 
rejected. At length Mr. Paul Moody, then connected with 
the manufacturing establishments in VValtham, while on a 
visit to his friends in Amesbury, met with Mr. Worthen, a 
man of taste, views and feelings congenial to his own, to 
whom he mentioned that an extensive water privilege was 
wanted by the above named gentlemen. Mr. Worthen 
replied, ' why do they not purchase the canal around 
the Pawtucket falls, in Chelmsford ? They can put up as 
many works as they please there, and never want for water.' 
This conversation resulted in a visit of those gentlemen to 
canal was immediately purchased by Messrs. Jackson, Apple- 
ton, and Boott. This canal was projected about the year 
1790, and the proprietors were incorporated in the summer 



174 APPENDIX. 

j;^n,g. Location. I.iconioratod Capital. 

Middlesex Cotton and Woollen crinnoOO 

Manufacturing Company, at Lowell. I8o0. ^500,OUO 

Middlesex Iron Foundery, Bo^ston^.and ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ 

session of 1792, by the name of tlie Proprietors of Locks and 
CW. on Merrimack river. It was opened or the l-rpose of 
facilitating the transportation of wood and '"•^''^';,/'^«"^^^'* ^ 
interior to Newburvport, It is about one nnd a half miles in 
len Ah, had four sets of locks, and was built at an expenditure 
of ^50,000. Its direction is nearly easi, and it enters the Con- 
cord r ver just above its junction with the Merrimack, where 
the water is 32 feet lower than at the head of the Pawtucket 
falls. The company made the first purchase ot real estate 
Nov 2 1821. They began their work about the 1 ot April, 
1822. On the 10 of July they began to dig the canal broader 
and deeper, and let the water into it about the 1 of September, 
1823 Five hundred men were constantly employed in aig- 
ging 'and blasting. The gun-powder used in blasting, amount- 
Id t^o 56,000 at one shilling per pound. The whole expen.^ 
of digging out the the canal was about ^l^^O.OOO. It is now 
60 fee" wide, has three sets of locks, and the water .n it is 
8 feet deep, and is calculated to supply 50 mills, contam.ng 
3,600 spind'J^s each, (making, in all, 180.000.) The compaiiy 
was first incorporated by the name of the Merrwiack Mannfac- 
turins: Company In 1825, a new company was formed, cal- 
led the Proprietors of Locks and Canals on Mernmock rne, , 
to whom the Merrimack Manufacturing Company sold all he 
water privilege, and all their real estate, together w-Kh the 
Machine Shop and its appurtenances, reserving to tl'^^elves 
water power sufficient for five factories and the pnnl works 
The proprietors of Locks and Canals are incorpora-ed w.tU 
a capital of 5600,000. The Merrimack Mf;'"^-;;'-^ ^?Z 
pany is now acting upon a capital of $1,200,000. Ihe 
Hamilton Manufacturing Company was incorporated in Janu 
ary 1825, with a capital of §600,000. 

Notwithstanding the abundance of water power at other places 
that in use here possesses advantages which will prohabbbn^^^^^ 
together a great amount and variety of manufacturing ^us ness^ 
" The most obvious of these are its proximity to market,--l>e n 
24 miles from Boston ^-the facility of communication by le 
Middlesex canal, by means of which the materials uswi m e 
factories can be put into a boat m Boston, and landed at the 
door of the factory, and their goods returned ,n the same way , 
—which, compared with transportation by land, isagieat 



APPENDIX. 175 

Name. Location. Incor. Capital. 

Middlesex Union Cotton and 

Woollen Factory, atHopkinlon. 1828, ^65,000 

Massic Falls Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Lowell. 1829. ^200,000 



convenience, and a considerable reduction of expense; also 
ihe neig"l)l>ourliood of other establishments for different pur- 
poses, which afford various facilities to each other. But the 
principal advantage is in the permanency of the water power, 
compared with that on smaller streams, where, almost every 
season, a drought of some weeks, causes a serious interruption 
if not a total suspension of business; thus throwing a larg'e 
number of hands out of employ. But here, in the driest sea- 
son, there can be but little doubt that the Merrimack will sup- 
ply as much water as the present canal will carry, being- cal- 
culated for 50 factories, of the size of those already erected. 
Compared with the extent of the water power, what has as 
yet been done, may be considered only as the beginning. 
When we take into view the natural advantages of the place, 
and the facilities that the establishment of one manufactory 
affords for the establishmeiit of others, either for similar or 
different purposes, it is not unreasonable to suppose, that the 
place will continue to increase, if not with' the same rapid 
strides with which it has commenced, yet keeping pace with 
the prosperity of the country, and the increase of manufac- 
ture, till the wlioie water power shall t>e brought into use. 
When this shall bo the case, the population cannot be less than 
2o,000, as each factory will give employment, directly and 
indirectly, to 500 people. Fiftj' factories upon the plan now 
pursued, would put in operation 7,000 looms — The number in 
use in Manchester, says the Q,. Review, 1826, was estimated 
in 1825 at 30,000. In 1812 there was not a power loom 
used in Manchester. We state this fact, to show that our cal- 
culations as to the future growth of this place, are not alto- 
gether visionr.ry ; especially when it is considered, that the 
manufactures this side of the Atlantic have the advantage 
over those on the other, not only for the supply of our own 
market, but for commanding the trade with South America, 
Mexico, and the West Indies. There are many considera- 
tions in favour of the town of Lowell, compared with the 
great manufacturing towns of Europe. Most of those 
have grown up from small tieginnings, and without anyspecial 
provisions to secure to them a moral and intellectual character; 
the consequence of which is that vice and ignorance have 
kept pace with the growth of the establishments. Here 



176 APPENDTX. 

Name. Location. Incor. Capital. 

New-England Lace Manufactory, Boston. 1827. ^80,000 
New-England Crown Glass 

Mauufaclory, Boston and Cambridge. 1824. $300,000 



great attention is given to education and moral improvement. 
On this point, the lihcral and correct proceedings of gentle- 
men who have established manufactures here, deserve espe- 
cial notice. One of the first buildings erected was a school 
house, where they have since regularly supported a school, 
and several other seminaries for elementary and more mature 
education have been added with the increase of inhabitants. 
These things afford very little countenance to the common- 
place remarks on the vice and ignorance of a manufacturing 
population; which certainly cannot be applied with any cor- 
rectness in this country." 

In the year 1828, the Appkton Cotton and Woollen Man- 
ufacturing C&mpamj was incorporated at Lowell, with a capi- 
tal of $1,000,000. In the same year, the Loicell Cotton Factory 
was incorporated, with a capital of $600,000 ; and the 
Lowell Brewery , \\\\\\ ?i capital of $50,000; making a sum 
total during the year of $1,650,000. In 1829, the Boston and 
Lowell Woolkn and Cotton Manufacturing Company, with a 
capital of £500,000, and tht Massic Falls Cotton and Woollen 
Factory at Lowell, with a capital of £200.000, were incor- 
porated. The whole populalicm of the town is now 6,500; 
Lowell is a very considerable market for the neighbouring- 
towns, and is becoming more so daily; and from its location 
will probably have an extensive trade with the ailjacent 
country. It ought, perhaps, to be mentioned that upon the op- 
posite side of Concord river, in Tewksbury, the Belvidere 
village containing 3 or 400 inhabitants, has grown up within 
a few years, in consequence of the establishments in Lowell. 
'I'he Lowell Journal (Feb. 1831), in noticing the first meet- 
ing of the Suffolk Company, lately incorporated, gives the 
names of the several companies in that town, incorporated for 
mannfacluriiig purposes, with their capitals, as follows : 

Merrimack CoiDpany, $1,500,000 

Lo(;lis and Canals do 600,000 

Hamilton do 1,200,000 

Appleton do 600,000 

Lowell do 500,000 

. Middlesex tU. 500,000 

SuiTolli do 500,000 



Total, $5,300,000 



il 



APPENDIX. 177 

Name. Location. Inc'd. Capital. 

New-England Glass Boule 

Manut'actorv, at East Cambrldg-e. 1826. ^400,000 

New-Englauii'Soap Sione do. at Boston. 1828. ^25,000 
New-England Painted Floor 

Cloth iManufaclor>', at Roxbury. 1829. ^150,000 
New-England Cotton, Wool- 
len, and Linen Factory, at Grafton. 1825. ^500.000 
New Market Iron, and Cotton 

Cloth Manufactory, at Middleborough. 1813. ,^100,000 
Newburyport Hosiery Manu- 
factory, at Newburyport. 1825. ^100,000 
Newburyport Woollen Man- 
ufactory, at Amesbury. 1794. ^266,000 
Newburyport Hosiery Manu- 

facufaciuring Company ,at Newburyport. 1829. ^^OjOOO 
Northborough Woollen and 

Cotton Factory, at Northborough. 1814. 5200,000 
Northhridge Cotton Factory,at Northbridge.1814. ^lOO.OOO 

Norlhbridge CloUi Factory, at do. 1814. ^lOO.OOO 

Norfolk Cotton Factory, at Dedham. 1808. J 100,000 

Norfolk Cotton Factory, at Dedham. 182t. ^150,000 
North-Brookfield Woollen 

Factory, at North-Brookfield. 1816. ^50,000 

Newton Wire Factory, at Newton. 1812. fco,000 
Northampton Cotton and 

Woollen Manufactory, at Northampton. 1810. ^75,000 
Northampton Iron and Wool 

Factory. at Northampton. 1823. ^100,000 
Norih Adams Cotton and Ma- 
chine Manufacturing Company, Adams. 1829. ,§^100,000 
Neponset Cotton Factory, at"" Walpole. 1828. 5100.000 
Oxford Central Cotton Factory, at Oxibrd. 1814. |lOO,(iOO 
Oxford Cotton Factory, at Oxford. 1815. 550,000 
Oxford Woollen and Cotton 

Factory, at Oxford. 1828. 5150,000 

Orr Cotton Factory, at East- Bridge water. 1818. 5150,000 
Oakham village Cotton and 

VV^oollen Factory, at Oakham. 1815. 520,000 
Orange Cotton Factory, at Orange. 1810. 550,000 
Pontosack Woollen Factory, at Pitlsfield. 1826. 5240,000 
Pawtucket Calico Faclory,at Pawtucket. 1826. 5400,000 
Filtsfield Woollen and Cot- 
ton Factory, at Pittsfield. 1809. 5130,000 



178 APPENDIX. 

Xame. Location. Inc'd. Capital. 

Pittsfield Wooilen and 

Collon Factory, at PiUsfieid. 1814. ^lOO.OOO 

Plymouth do. do. at Plymouth. 1814. ^150,000 

Plymouth Cordage Factory, at Plymouth, 1824. ^80,000 

Plymomii Coiioii Factory, at Plymouth. 1808. ^iOO.OOO 

Plympton Iron Factory, at Pfympton. 1825. ^1^20,000 

Plympton Woollen Factory, at Plympton. 1814. ^100,000 

Palmer's river Collon and 

Woollen Factory, at Rehobolh. 1813. ^loO.OOO 

Patent Pin Manufactory, at Oxford. 1815. 5.50,000 

Pawtucket Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Seekonk. 1813. ^300,000 

Pembroke Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Pembroke. 1814. ^100,000 

Pembroke Second do. at do. 1814. ^100,000 ; 

Phillipsion Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Phillipsion. 1815. ^20,000 

Quinabaug Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Sturbridge. 1826. ^250,000 

Roxbury Colour and Chym- 

ical Works, at Roxbury. 1826. ^70,000 

Rock-bottom Cotton and 

Wool Factory, at Stow. 1815. ^30.000 

Rivulet Woollen Factory, at Uxbridge. 1316. ^100,000 

Royalston Cotton and Wool 

Factory, at Royalston. 1813. ^50.000 

1 Revere Copper Factory, at Canton. 1828. 5250,000 

Salisbury Woollen Factory, at Salisbury. 1823. ,5100,000 

Saxon Wool Factory, at Framingham. 1824. ^300,000 

Saxon Wool and Cotton Fac- 
tory, at Framingham. 1829. 5300,000 

Saxon and Leicester Wool and 

Cotton Factory ,al Leicester &Framingh. 1825. 5600.000 

Salem Iron Factory. at Danvers. IGOO. 5300.000 

Salem Lead Manufactory, at Salem. 1824. 5200,000. 

Salem Prewery, at Salem. 1829. 550,000^, 

South- Boston Crown Glass 

Manufactory, at South Boston. 1824. 5250,000 

South Boston Flint Glass 

Works, at South Boston. 1825. 5300,000 

South Boston Iron Fiiclory, at Boston. 1821. 5250,000 

Swift River Cotton and Wool 

Factory, at Enfield. 1825. 580,000 



APPENDIX. 1T9 



Name. Location. Inc'd. Capital. 

S'pringfield Cotton and Wool 

Factory, at Springfield. 1814. ^400,000 

Springfield Ames Paper Man- 
ufactory, at Springfield. 1827. ^300,000 

Springfield Card INlanufac- 

tory, at Springfield. 1826. ^80,000 

Sharon Cotton Factory, at Sharon. J811. ^100,000 

Steep Brook Cotton and 
Woollen Factory, at Canton. 1815. 530,000 

^augus River Bleaching Factory, Saugus. IS^?. ^180,000 

5tockbridge Cotton Factory,at Stockbridge.1815. ^60,000 

Slookbridge Cotton and 
Woollen Factory, at do. 1813. ^80,000 

3tony Bronk Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory. at Wrenlham. 1814. ^70,000 
ougliloii Woollen and 

i Colton Factory, at Stoughton. 1815. ^73,000 

;t() v Cotton Factory, at Stow. 1813. 550,000 

jtralion Cotton Factory, at Foxborough. 1815. 560,000 

5tLu!)ridge Woollen and 
Cuiton Factory, at Sturbridge. 1812. ^100,000 

>\\anze3' Union Factory, at Swanzey. 1814. 5^0,000 

iwanzey Paper Manufactory, atSwanzey. 18!28. ^50,000 

iouthbridge Woollen Fac- 
tory, at Southbridge. 1816. ^50,000 

juffoik Cotton, Silk, and 

.inen Factory, at Boston. 1819. ^200,000 

!alt Manufactory, at Billingsgate island. 1821. 550,000 

(Utton and Charlton Cotton, 
Woollen, and Linen Fac- 
tory, in Hampshire county. 1811. 5120,000 

""ufts Woollen and Cotton 
Yarn and Cloth Factory. at Dudley. 1827. 5200,000 

''hree River Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Palmer. 1826. 51,000,000 

'ype and Stereotype Foundry, at Boston. 18-j6. 5100^000 

"roy Cotton and Wool- 
Jen Factory, at Troy. 1814. 5100,000 
aunton Iron and Wool- 
len Factory, at Taunton. 1823. 5400,000 

llnion Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Walpole. 1812. 550,000 

Jxbridge Woollen Factory, at Uxbridge. 1827. 5150,000 



180 



APPENDIX. 



Name. Location. Inc'd. Capital. 



Village Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory. at Dudley. 18.2. 5100,000 

Walomopogge do. do. .it Wrentham. 1814. ^100,000 

Walpole Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory, at Walpole. 1814. 5IOO.OOO 

Waterlown Woollen Factory,atWatertown. 1814. ^100,000 

Welfleet Woollen and Cot- 
ton Factory, at Welfleet. 1815. ;^^10,000 

Waltham do. do. at Waltham. 1814. ^300,000 

Wellington Cotton Factory.at Wellington. 1814. ^60,000 

Westport do. do ' at Westport. 1815. ,^00,000 

Western do. do. at Western. 1815. ^100,000 

Westport Cotton Yarn and 

Cloth Factory, at Westport. 1823. ^50,000 

West-Boylston'Cotton Fac- 
tory, at West-Bovlston. 1C23. ^100,0^ 

Wolcott Woollen Factory, at Soutlibridge. 18:20. ^50.0(1^ 

Worcester and Brookfield 
Iron Foundry, at Worcester &Brookfield. 1826. ^GO.OOC' 

Woollen Factory, at Winchendon 1826. ^200,000 

Wolf Hill Lead Mine Com- ^ 

pany, at Southampton. 1827. 5200,060 

Wareham Iron Company, at Wareham. 1828. ^350,000 

Wareham Cotton Factory, at Wareham. 1826. ^70,000 

Williamstown Cotton and Wool 

Factory, at Williamstown. 1828. ^60,000 

Wcodbridge Yarn and Cloth 

Manufactory, at South Hadley. 1829. ^150,000 

Willimansett Edge Tool Man- 
ufacturing Company, at Springfield. 1829. 560,00fi 

Wales Woollen Factory, at VVales, 1829. 5100,vXX' 

Williamsburg Woollen, Cot- 
ton, and Linen Factory, at Williamsburg. 1825. ^250,000 

Wrentham Cotton and Wool- 
len Factory. at Wrentham. 1812. ^lOO^OCO 



FINIS. 



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